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THE 

CHRISTIAN'S  MANUAL; 

CONTAINING 

Some  Thoughts  en  the  following  Suhjefts,  viz. 

/.— On  thcARTicLEs  of  the  CHRISTIAN  FAITH, 
with  a  concife  Form  of  the  Covenant  annexed. 

//.-On   BAPTISM.     A  Dialogue. 

///.—On  the  LORD'S   SUPPER. 

IV.— On  PRAYER,  with  fome  Forms. 

F.-On  CIVIL  GOVERNMENT,  by  Qucftion  and 
Anfwer. 

TO    WHICH    IS    ADDED, 

A   part  of    a   celebrated    Sermon,   on    the 
neglect  of  Public  Worfhip. 

The  whole  Defigncdfor  the  life  of  Families, 

By  HEZEKI AH  PACKARD,  a,  m. 

A  Minister  of  the  Gospel. 


Publifhed  according  to  Ac>  of  Congrefs. 


Printed  by  S  \MUEL  PRESTON    Amhust,  N.  H, 

MARCH l801, 


—  ®& 

ADVERTISEMENT. 


A  HE  writer  of  thefe  fheets  can  affure 
the  public,  that,  in  preparing  them  for  the 
prefs,  he  has  taken  the  advice  of  the  mod 
approved  Authors,  with  whom  he  has  had  a- 
ny  confiderable  acquaintance.  He  has  found 
the  bufmefs  of  collecting  materials  for  the 
following  work  no  folitary  employment.  For 
he  has  attended  with  pleafure  to  the  friendly 
and  valuable  inftruclions  of  Mr.  Grove  and 
Mr.  Bell  on  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  has  had 
occasional  interviews  with  others,  who  have 
directed  their  thoughts  to  the  fame  point. 
Mr.  Towgood,  who  highly  adorned  his  pro- 
feflion,  in  company  with  feveral  others  of  no 
fmall  repute,  has  afforded  him  much  affiftance, 
in  carrying  on  a  dialogue  with  a  refpeBable 
Parifhioner,  on  the  fubje6t  of  Baptifm.  In- 
deed, the  writer  has  already  fuch  a  refpe&a- 
ble  number  of  patrons,  who  ftiil  live  in  their 
writings,  that  he  now  fubmits  this  fmall  vol- 
ume to  the  public,  with  encouraging  hopes 
of  its  being  ufeful.  And  hereby  he  tmfts 
he  fhall  contribute  fomething  to  the  be  ft  in- 
terefts  of  bis  fellow-citizens. 


PREFACE, 


To  the  Serious  and  Inquifitive  Reader. 
Dear  Friendj 

J- N  the  following  work,  you  will  notfnd 
much  of  the  f evert  ty  and  edgednefs  of  party.  You 
will  foon perceive,  that  it  is  the  Authors  dejign to 
ajfijl  and  encourage  your  inquiries,  and  to  render 
you  more  religious.  While  he  endeavors  to  roufe 
the  attention  of  the  inconfiderate,  and  to  Jlrengthen 
the  true  believer,  he  has  an  ardent  dejire  to  admin- 
ijler  comfort  and  fupport  to  the  feeble  minded,  and 
to  aid  your  purfuit  after  The  One  Thing  need- 
ful. He  hopes  you  will  perfevere  in  your  moment- 
cus  inquiries,  and  he  prays  God  to  work  in  you 
the  work  of  faith  with  power.  Let  no  opportuni- 
ty efcape  your  notice,  nor  pafs  unimproved.  Short, 
at  longefl,  is  the  day  of  life  and  of  grace.  A 
jiale  of  retribution  awaits  us.  Our  future  condi- 
tion will  be  the  fair  refill  of  our  moral  tharatlers 
in  this  world.  So  that  we  are  aBingfor  eternity. 
How  folemn  and  affecting  the  thought  !  -Oh  !  that 
men  were  wife,  that  they  underfood  this,  and  would 
confider  of  their  latter  end  ! 
C helm tf or d,  Jan.  1801. 


PART    I. 


CONTAINING 

A  jew  Thoughts  on  the  Gojptl  Covenant > 

TOGETHER 

With  a  Form  of  it,  as  adopted  by   the  Churdt  of  Ckriflf 
in  Chelmsford, 


Be  not  rafh  with  thy  mouth  and  let  not  thine  heart  be  hafty 
lo  inter  any  thing  before  G<r.\.  For  God  is  in  heaven  ■Tnd 
thou  upon  earth  ;  therefore  let  thy  words  be  few.     Ecc!.  v.  a. 


ON     THE     ARTICLES     OF     THE 

CHRISTIAN  COVENANT. 

OUR  fyftem  of  faith  and  the  terms  of  ad- 
mifSon  into  the  Church  fhould  be  fo 
conftru&ed  and  adapted,  as  to  meet  the  ac- 
ceptance of  every  unprejudiced  and  firrcere 
chriitian.  Confeflions  of  faith  have  had  at- 
tached to  them  fo  many  fharp  points,  that 
numbers  have  been  afraid  to  approach  the 
table  of  our  common  Lord.  Some  perfons 
of  good  characters  and  vifibie  piety  have 
lived  and  died  without  the  pale  of  the  church, 
becaufe  they  could  not  in  confeience  fub- 
fcribe  to  the  articles  of  faith  prefented  them, 
nor  comply  with  the  required  forms  of  ad- 
miflion.  It  is  certainly  matter  of  painful  la- 
mentation,  that   any    proper  and   accepted 


[     6     ] 

members  of  Chrift's  fpiritual  kingdom  fhould 
be  denied  the  privilege  and  benefits  of  his 
vifible  church  on  earth.  By  requiring  too 
much  we  fruftrate  our  own  defigns,and  tempt 
perfons  to  handle  the  word  and  ordinances 
of  the  Lord  deceitfully.  When  we  confid- 
er  that  chriftians  of  the  greateft  and  thofe  of 
the Tmalleft  attainments,  have  the  fame  God 
and  Father  to  worfhip  and  adore  ;  the  fame 
Lord  and  Matter  to  ferve  and  obey ;  the 
fame  glorious  inheritance  in  profpecl  ;  we 
are  conftrained  to  be  candid  and  mild.  Ar- 
guments in  favor  of  meafures  charitable  and 
conciliatory  rufh  in  from  every  quarter.  For 
after  urging  and  fixing  ever  fo  many  points, 
the  main  point  is  to  have  the  heart  right  in  the 
fight  of  God.  After  all  our  forms  and  con- 
feflions,  the  grand  re qui fite  \s  to  have  a  temper 
and  difpofinon  for  a  life  of  holinefs  and  vir- 
tue. Hence,  to  reduce  our  forms  of  the 
ChrKlian  Covenant,  and  our  terms  of  com- 
munion to  the  mild  ftandard  of  the  gofpel, 
is  matter  of  great  importance.  To  fee  the 
diflinclions  of  feci:  and  party  laid  afide,  and 
all  malice,  revenge  and  bitternefs  done  away, 
is  truly  defirable.  And  it  becomes  all  the 
rightful  members  of  Chrift's  family  and  king- 
dom to  unite  their  exertions  in  the  common 
caufe  of  their  common  Lord  and  Mahler, 
and  promote  peace  and  good  will  among 
men.  Wifhing  to  contribute  fomething  to 
aid   fuch  a  valuable  defign,  and  affift  the  in- 


[     7     ] 

quiries  of  private  chriftians  and  all  well  dif- 
pofed  pupils  in  the  fchool  of  Chrift,  I  here 
fubjoin  a  concife  form  of  the  Chriftian  Cov- 
enant, adopted  by  the  Church  of  Chrift  in 
Chelmsford  and  adminiftered  to  all  who  are 
admitted. 


*fl 


THE    COVENANT. 


"YOU  do  now,  in  the  prefence  of  Al- 
mighty God  and  before  this  chriftian  alTem- 
biy,  profefs  a  fincere  belief  in  the  exiftence, 
providence  and  government  of  Jehovah, 
who  is  infinitely  wife,  juft  and  good,  and  who 
fcarches  the  hearts  and  regards  the  actions  of 
men.  You  believe  that  to  love  and  obey 
him  is  our  moft  reafonable  fervice,  and  con- 
ducive to  our  higheft  interefts.  You  believe 
in  man's  primeval  innocence,  voluntary 
tranfgreffion,and  unhappy  fall.  You  believe 
in  the  doftrines  of  divine  revelation,  which 
is  gracioufiy  defigned  lor  our  inftruclicn,  re- 
covery and  eternal  happinefs.  You  believe 
that  God  fpake  to  our  Father's  by  the  Proph- 
ets, and  that  in  thefe  laft  days,  He  fpeaks  to 
us  in  the  Gofpel  of  his  Son,  who  is  the  one 
Mediator  between  God  and  man,  and  the 
only  true  way  to  eternal  life.  You  do  hum- 
bly and  penitently  confefs  your  fins  of  every 
name  and  nature,  and  devoutly  implore  the 
benefits   of  the    Spirit's   guidance,  the  Son's 


C     8     ] 

facrifice,  and  the  Father's  mercy.  You  do 
ardently  defire  to  give  up  yourfelf  to  God, 
and  refolve  to  deny  all  ungodlinefs  and  live 
as  the  Gofpel  teaches.  You  commit  your- 
felf to  the  care  and  difcipline  of  this  cbrif- 
tian  church,  and  promife  to  walk  in  com- 
munion with  us  as  long  as  God  in  his  provi- 
dence (hall  give  you  opportunity.  Thus  you 
believe,  thus  you  refolve,  thus  you  promife* 

You  are  then  under  the  folemn  bonds  of 
the  Covenant,  and  in  the  name  of  this  chrif- 
tian  church  I  declare  you  a  member  of  it  in 
full  communion.  In  the  name  of  the  church 
I  alfo  promife,  that  we  will  watch  over  you 
in  the  fpirit  of  meeknefs  and  charity,  and 
endeavor  to  promote  your  prefent  and  future 
welfare.  And  may  grace,  mercy  and  peace 
be  multiplied  to  you  and  us  through  the 
hlood  of  the  everlafting  Covenant." 

AMEN, 

This  form  of  the  Covenant  comprifes,  in 
the  Author's  opinion,  the  effentials  of  the 
christian  religion.  All  matters  of  faith  and 
practice  may  be  fairly  reduced  to  what  is 
(here  dated  and  required.  Thofe  points  on 
which  fo  many  volumes  have  been  written, 
and  on  which  polemic  Divines  may  never  a- 
gree  to  fix,  do  not  determine  the  ftate  of  the 
heart,  nor  mark  the  degrees  of  grace.     The 


[     9     ] 

beft  creed  may  be  fubfcribed  and  vindicated 
by  a  bad  man,  while  a  man  of  real  piety  may 
have  doubts  and  fears  refting  upon  his  mind. 
Some  who  have  readily  fet  their  names  to 
lengthy  and  particular  conftffions  of  faith, 
may  belong  to  the  number  of  hypocrites  and 
unbelievers.  And  fome,  who  have  been  re- 
ftrained  by  confcience  from  fuch  confefiions, 
may  hold  a  di  ft  ingui  fined  place  in  the  church 
and  affembly  of  the  firft  born  in  heaven, 
Before  our  own  Matter  we  muft  ftand  or  fall. 
It  becomes  us,  therefore,  to  inquire  and 
judge  for  ourfelves.  With-  this  view,  let  us 
fearch  the  fcriptures  to  know  God's  will  and 
human  duty,  and  examine  our  own  hearts  to 
know  ourfelves.  Let  us  take  heed  that  we 
build  our  opinions,  our  characters  and  hopes 
upon  the  foundation  of  the  Apoftles  and 
Prophets,   Jefus     Chrifi   himfelf  being    the 

CHIEF  CORNER  STONE, 


PART     II. 


On  BAPTISM, 


IN 


A  Dialogue  between  a  Minifter  and  a  refptBabh 
Farijhloner^fvppofed  to  be  at  the  Minifter' s  koufe. 


DIALOGUE. 

Pardoner.  T  HAVE  come,  Sir,  to  con vcrfe 
7  JL  with   you    on   fome  fubjects, 

which  have  long  laid  upon  my  mind  with 
great  weight.  I  know  your  readinefs  to  im* 
part  all  the  light  and  inftruftion  you  can  to 
your  people,  and  I  am  fenfible  I  need  both, 

Minifter.  I  wifh  to  do  what  good  I  can, 
and  fhall  be  happy  to  render  you  all  the  fer- 
vice  in  my  power.  What  are  the  fubje&s 
which  labor  in  your  mind  ? 

P.  I  have  neglected  to  profefs  the  cbrif- 
tian  faith,  and  to  dedicate  my  children  in 
baptifm.  I  feel  uneafy.  Matters  of  a  reli- 
gious nature  have  employed  much  of  my  at- 
tention for  feveral  years  paft,  and  I  have 
endeavored  to  difcover  my  own  character 
and  duty.  I  now  think  it  incumbent  on  me 
to  profefs  Chrift  before  men.  But  I  am  in 
doubt  with  refpecl  to  the  proper  fubjecls  and 
mode  ol  baptifm,  and  wifh  for  your  fenti- 
nients.     My  parents  gave  me  up  to  God  in 


t    it    3 

baptifm,  when  I  was  in  infancy,  and  I  have 
a  defire  to  do  what  is  proper  for  my  children. 
But  I  cannot  a&  for  them  in  this  cafe,  with- 
out a  fufi&cient  warrant  for  it.  Chriftianity 
addreffes  itfelf  to  our  reafon  and  underftand- 
ing  ;  but  the  fcriptures  are  not  fo  clear  and 
full  on  thefe  points,  as  to  remove  doubts  and 
difficulties  from  my  mind. 

M.  I  have  paid  fome  attention  to  the  fub- 
jefts  of  your  inquiry,  and  will  now  fubmit 
to  your  confideration  fome  of  my  ideas. 

We  all  allow,  that  baptifm  is  a  divine  infti- 
tution,  and  is  appointed  as  a  (landing  ordi- 
nance for  the  regular  admiffion  of  perfons 
into  Chrift's  vifible  kingdom.  It  is  the  ap- 
propriate feal  of  the  Gofpel  Covenant,  and 
denotes  the  neceflity  of  divine  power  and 
influence  to  renew  and  govern  our  hearts. 
It  fignifies  the  wafhing  of  regeneration  and 
the  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghoft.  Indeed, 
it  fignifies  much  the  fame  that  circumcifion 
fignified  under  former  difpenfations.  The 
Apoltle,  you  know,  fays,  that  he  is  not  a  Jew, 
who  is  one  outwardly,  neither  is  that  circum- 
cifion which  is  outward  in  the  fit  fh.  But  he 
i^a  Jew,  who  is  one  inwardly,  and  circumci- 
fion is  that  of  the  heart,  in  the  fpiritand  not 
in  the  letter. 

P.  I  perceive,  that  in  their  general  de- 
fign  and  import,  baptifm  well  agrees  with  cir- 
cumcifion, but  I  will  hear  you  farther. 


M.     The  vifible  church  of  God,  as  to  it* 
foundation  and  leading  principles,  has  always 
been  the  fame.     In  every  period  and  under 
every  difpenfation,  the  church  has  refted  up- 
on the   Covenant  of  grace.     This  Covenant 
was  in  part  opened  to  Adam,  Enoch  and  No- 
ah,  and  all  the  pious  patriarchs.     To  Abra- 
ham,   in    particular,  it  was  more  fully  made 
known  in  that  memorable  Covenant,  of  which 
circumcifion   was   the    appointed   token  and 
feal.     The  Abrahamic    Covenant,    founded 
in  God's  grace  and  companion  towards  a  fin- 
ful  and  idolatrous  world,  was  imitated  in  its 
principal   features  and  defign  by  the  Mofaic 
difpenfation,     which    was    exprefsly   added, 
"  becaufe  of tranfgreffion"     To  keep  the  unlia- 
ble Ifraelites  from  the  worfhip  of  Idok,  and 
to  fpread  the  knowledge  of  God  and  religion, 
the    Lord   fpake   to  Mofes  from  the  burning 
bufh  ;  Sinai  was  made  to  tremble  ;  the  peo- 
ple of  Ifrael  received  ftatutes  and  judgments 
for    their  admonition    and    guidance.     The 
promife  made  to  Abraham  was  of  faith,  that 
it    might   be  by   grace.     The  law  was  a  well 
qualified  fchool-mafterto  bringmen  to  Chrift. 
In    this    connexion,   we  ought    to  remember 
the  inuVuclions  of  the  Apoftle,  that,  if  we  are 
Chrifts*  zee  are  Abraham's  feed,  and  heirs  accord* 
ing  to  promife  j  and    that  on  two  commandments* 
which    naturally  rife    from   the  Covenant  of 
grace    and    are    always   binding,  hang  all  the 
law    and   the  prophets.     This   being   the  cafe, 


[     *3     3 

and  we  living  under  a  difpenfation,  to  which 
all  former  ones  ultimately  referred,  we  can- 
not fuppofe,  that  children  are  now  excluded 
from  thofe  privileges  and  bleflings,  to  which 
infants  were  formerly  admitted.  Are  not  the 
children  of  believers  now,  as  capable  of  fig- 
nal  and  diftingmfhing  favors,  as  were  infants 
of  eight  days  old  in  the  time  of  Abraham 
and  Mofes  ?  Did  any  earlier  forms  of  God's 
Covenant  with  fallen  man  embrace  our  in- 
fant offspring  more  tenderly  and  more  ef- 
fectually, than  the  Gofpel  of  Jefus  Chrift, 
who  is  the  only  begotton  of  the  Father,  full 
of  grace  and  truth  ?  Infants  were  formerly 
admitted  into  Covenant  and  had  its  feal  (lamp- 
ed upon  them.  They  had  given  them  an  ex- 
prefs  token  and  pledge,  that  Jehovah  would 
be  their  God.  They  were  confidered  as 
{landing  in  a  peculiar  relation  to  the  great 
Head  of  the  church,  and  were  accounted  his 
children.  This  was  juftly  efteemed  a  grat 
and  precious  privilege.  We  have  no  account 
in  the  facred  fcriptures,  that  this  privilege  has 
ever  been  taken  away,  and  this  relation  re- 
nounced. Our  authority  for  withholding  a 
privilege  muft  be  as  great  as  that  upon  which 
it  was  at  fir  ft  granted.  The  children  of  be- 
lievers are  born  into  the  arms  of  the  Cove- 
nant. And  hence  we  may  fairly  conclude, 
that  the  infants  of  believers,  or  any  under 
their  care,  retain  a  right  to  this  ancient,  un- 
repealed privilege,  and  ought  to  be  admitted 

B 


[     14     ] 

into  Covenant.  And  baptifm  being  now,  as 
was  circumcifion,  the  Teal  of  the  Covenant, 
and  being,  like  that,  the  mode  of  initiation 
into  the  church,  they  ought  to  be  baptized. 
Baptifm  fignifyingwhatcircumcifion  fignified, 
it  well  fupplies  its  place.  I  conceive  it, 
therefore,  to  be  your  duty,  on  profeffing 
chriflianity,  to  give  up  your  children  in  this 
ordinance  to  the  protection,  guidance  and 
bleffing  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of 
the  Holy  Gketft. 

P.  Your  obfervations  appear  to  be  found- 
ed upon  fcripture  authorities,  and  the  fubjecl 
flrikes  me  in  a  light  fomewhat  different  from 
what  it  ever  did  before.  But  fo  many  things 
have  been  faid  on  both  fides  of  the  quefiion, 
I  ftill  feel  at  a  lofs  with  regard  to  the  mode  of 
baptifm.  Sometimes  I  have  thought  I  ought 
to  be  -plunged,  in  order  for  regular  admiflion 
into  the  chutfch.  Your  practice  fhews  what 
your  fentiments  are,  but  I  fhould  be  glad  to 
know  the  reafons  and  grounds  of  your  opin- 
ion. 

M.  I  do  not  find  any  examples  on  either 
fide  of  the  queflion  to  determine  the  point. 
But  there  are  feveral  reafons,  which  have  fat- 
isfied  and  confirmed  me  in  my  praftice.  This 
fcal  of  the  Covenant  may  indicate  the  fpirit- 
ual  contents  which  lie  under  i*.  This  ex  pre f- 
Qvcjign  may  ferve  to  reprefent  the  things/z>- 
nified.  In  which  cafe,  the  common  and  fpe- 
ciat  workings  of  God's  fpirit  upon  the  minds 


[     *5     J 

of  men  are  fet  forth.  It  is  true,  we  have  no 
adequate  ideas  of  the  manner,  in  which  the 
holy  Spirit  opens  and  enlarges,  infpires  and 
direfts  the  human  mind.  But  there  are  fome 
paffages  of  fcripture,  which  feem  to  be  de- 
figned  to  point  out  fomething  of  the  mode 
of  the  Spirit's  operation.  We  know  how 
rain  falls  upon  the  mown  grafs  ;  how  fhow- 
ers  de!cend,  which  water  the  earth  >  how  the 
gentle  dew  drop  foftly  lights  upon  the  ten- 
der herb  ;  how  things  are  fprinkled  with  clean 
water.  And  thefe  are  the  ways  in  which  the 
operations  of  God's  Spirit  are  reprefented  in 
the  volume  of  infpiration. 

I  know  it  is  faid,  that  believers  are  buried 
with  Chrift  by  baptifm.  The  fame  idea  is 
expreffed  in  feveral  places  in  the  New  Tes- 
tament. And  I  acknowledge,  that  at  firit 
view  fuch  expreflions  favor  the  practice  of 
plunging.  But  what  is  the  real  meaning  and 
intent  of  thefe  parts  of  fcripture.  They 
cannot  mean,  that  Chrift  is  really  in  the  wa- 
ter, while  any  perfon  is  receiving  baptifm. 
They  cannot  denote  the  mode  of  Chrift's 
bjptifm,  and  at  the  fame  time  furnifh  an  ex- 
ample to  chriftians,  becaufe  our  Lord  con- 
formed to  John's  baptifm,  which  was  in  fev- 
eral refpe&s  different  from  the  chrifliah. 
They  cannot  reprefent  the  manner  of  ChrifVs 
death,  becaufe  he  died  upon  the  crofs  erect- 
ed upon  mount  Calvary.  I  wifh  you  would 
lead,  with  the  greatefl  care  and  attention,  the 


[     i6     ] 

vi.  chap.  of  Paul's  Epiftle  to  the  Romans* 
and  the  ii.  chap,  of  his  Epiftle  to  the  Col. 
Endeavor  to  ascertain  the  whole  meaning  of 
what  is  faid  on  the  fubjecl:.  And  when  you 
find,  that,  by  baptifm,  believers  are  buried  with 
Chrift,  are  crucified  with  Chrift:,  are  rifen  with 
Chrift,  you  mult,  1  think,  be  convinced  that 
fuch  paftages  do  not  reprefent  any  particular 
mode  of  baptifm,  but  refer  to  the  things  fgni- 
fied  by  it.  The  matter  feems  to  be  in  fome 
meafure  explained,  in  the  iii.  chap,  of  the 
firfl  general  Epiftle  of  Peter.  We  are  there 
told  that  in  Noah's  ark  eight  fouls  were  faved 
by  water.  "  The  like  figure  zvhereunto,  even 
baptifm  doth  alfe  nowfave  us,  net  the  putting  a- 
way  of  the  filth  of  the  fief n,  but  the  anfwer  of  a 
good  confeience  towards  God,  by  the  refurreBion  of 
Jefus  thrift"  God  uied  the  waters  of  the 
flood  not  only  to  punifh  and  drown  the  old 
world,  when  overwhelmed  in  its  iniquities; 
but  he  ufed  them  to  fupport  and  carry  i\\Q 
ark,  for  the  prefervationof  Noah  and  his  fam- 
ily. In  this  view,  Noah  and  his  fauuly  were 
faved  by  water.  They  fled  from  a  world 
"  all  p trifling  in  fin'  into  the  ark  of  fafety 
provided  for  them,  and  rode  upon  the  waters 
of  the  flood.  In  like  manner,  by  baptifm, 
we  renounce  all  communication  with  the  un- 
fruitful works  of  darknefs,  and  fly  for  refuge 
to  the  ark  of  the  Covenant  provided  in  the 
Gofpel.  The  Gofpel  Covenant  is  to  believ- 
ers what  the  ark  was  to  Noah  and  his  family. 


[     »7     J 

The  inference,  from  the  portions  of  the  fcrip- 
ture  cited  and  referred  to,  feems  to  me  very 
plain  and  obvious.  As  Chrid  dkd/or  fin, 
believers  die  to  fin.  As  Chrift  died  and  rofe 
again,  fo  we  are  directed  to  die  to  fin  and  rife 
to  newnefs  of  life.  As  Chrift  was  crucified, 
fo  they  who  are  Chrift's  have  crucified  the 
flefh  with  its  affections  and  lulls.  As  Noah 
and  his  family  were  preferved  from  the  del- 
uge by  repairing  to  the  ark  according  to  the 
divine  command  ;  fo  chriftians  are  preferved 
from  the  tuft  confeq,uences  of  fin,  by  taking 
refuge  in  the  ark  of  the  Gofpel  Covenant 
and  complying  with  its  conditions.  To  be 
buried  with  Chrifl  by  or  in  baptrfm,  into  or 
unto  his  death,  is  to  receive  and  chenfh  thofe 
inftruftions,  truths  and  influences  fet  forth 
and  granted  in  that  Co.venant,  of  which  bap- 
tifm  is  the  feal  and  pledge.  We  lay  afide 
our  weapons  of  rebellion,  and  become  will- 
ing fubje£h  of  the  king  of  faints.  We  bury 
the  whole  body  of  fin,  and  rife  to  newnefs  of 
life.  All  this  does  not  determine  the  mode 
of  baptifm. 

P.  But  do  you  not  think,  that  many  fe~ 
rious  and  good  people  have  put  a  different 
conltruclion  on  the  paffages,  which  you  have 
now  explained  ? 

M.  I  do.  I  have  no  doubt,  that  many 
individuals  and  even  fome  churches  have 
confidered  the  authority  fuch  paflages  fur- 
nifh  for  plunging  amply  fufficient. 

B2 


[     »8     ] 

P.  I  remember  you  hinted  at  fome  differ- 
ence between  John's  baptifm  and  chriftian 
baptifm,  and  I  would  thank  you  to  point  it 
out. 

M.  The  requifite  of  John's  baptifm  was 
repentance.  He  was  the  voice  of  one  cry- 
ing in  the  wildernefs.  "  Repent  ye^for  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand."  The  requifite 
of  chriftian  baptifm  is  an  influential  belief  of 
the  whole  chriftian  religion.  John's  difci- 
plesbelieved  in  the  promifed  Mefliah.  Chrift's 
difciples  believed  that  Jefus  was  the  Chrift. 
John's  baptifm  was  not  attended  with  the 
particular  eifufions  of  God's  Spirit  ;  but  he 
gave  affurances,  that  one  was  foon  to  come, 
who  would  baptize  with  the  Holy  Ghoft. 
John's  baptifm  was  preparatory  to  the  chrif- 
tian. John  himfelfwas  the  bright  morning 
ftar  announcing  the  approach  of  the  fun  of 
righteoufnefs. 

P.  There  are  feveral  inftances  of  baptifm 
recorded  in  the  New  Teftarnent,  which  are 
fuppofed  to  authorize  the  practice  of  immer- 
fion.  I  wifh  for  your  ideas  concerning 
them. 

ill.  Do  you  refer  to  Lydia  and  her  houfe- 
hold,  or  to  the  jailor  and  his,  or  to  Cornel- 
ius and  thofe  at  his  houfe,  or  to  the  cafe  of 
Philip  and  the  Eunuch  ? 

P.  I  had  fome  of  thefe  in  mind,  and  I 
fhould  like  to  hear  your  fen  time  nis  on  each 
of  thegi. 


[     «9     ] 

M.  If  we  had  never  heard  any  difpute  a* 
bout  the  matter,  and  were  to  judge  merely 
from  what  is  written  of  Lydia  and  her  family, 
we  mould  readily  conclude,  that  fhe  and  all 
under  her  immediate  care,  whether  children 
or  not,  were  baptized  on  account  of  her  faith 
in  Chrift.  We  fhould  not  be  likely  to  form 
any  decifive  opinion  of  the  mode  and  place 
of  baptifm.  Attendingon  the  preached  word 
near  the  fide  of  a  river,  it  was  there  (he  be- 
lieved. And  to  preach  there  was  no  more 
than  the  diclate  of  common  prudence,  con- 
fidering  the  heat  and  barrennefs  of  that  coun- 
try, and  the  multitudes  and  thirft  of  the  peo- 
ple,who  were  often  prefent  on  fuch  occafions. 

When  the  two  ApoQies,  Paul  and  Silas, 
fpake  to  the  jailor  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and 
plainly  told  him  what  he  mult  do  to  be  faved, 
the  jailor  took  them  and  warned  the  flripes 
they  had  unjuftly  received,  and  was  baptized, 
he  and  his,  ftraightway.  I  think  it  hardly 
probable,  that  they  all  went  to  a  river,  or 
pond  ;  or  that  there  was  any  convenient  place 
for  the  purpofe  in  the  prifon.  It  mult  be 
matter  of  confiderable  hazard  for  the  jailor 
and  his  family  to  be  at  a  diftance  from  the 
prifon,  and  in  the  middle  of  the  night,  with 
perfons,  whofe  efcape  might  prove  fatal  to 
him.  And  we  cannot  fuppofe,  that  there 
were  accommodations  within  the  confines  of 
the  jail.  For  though  fuch  a  dreaded  man- 
fion  is  commonly   furnifhed  with  chains  and 


r  20  j 

ilocks  for  convicts  ;  yet  we  do  not  expeft  to 
find  pools  and  fonts  for  baptizing,  converts. 
We  are  told,  notwithstanding,  that  the  jailor 
and  his  family  were  baptized^  the  fame  hour 
of  the  night. 

With  refpe6l  to  Cornelius  and  thofe  at  his 
houfe,  Peter  faid,  "  Can  any  man  forbid  water 
that  thefe  Jhould  be  baptized  P"  Did  he  mean 
to  afk,  whether  any  man  eould  be  fo  unkind 
and  cruel  as  to  flop  the  river  from  flowing, 
or  prevent  accefs  to  the  common  fountains 
and  ponds  in  the  neighborhood  ?  Or  did  he 
mean  to  fuggeft,  that  water  fhould  be  brought 
for  the  occaGon,  and  they  baptized  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord  jefus  ? 

I  know  it  is  written,  that  both  Philip  and 
the  Eunuch  went  down  into  the  water  and 
came  up  oat  of  the  water.  Do  you  fuppofe, 
that  the  baptizer  was  as  much  under  water  as 
the  baptized  ?  If  not,  how  could  they  alike  go 
down  into  the  water  and  alike  come  up  out  of 
the  water  ?  Beftdes,  it  is  urged  on  good  au- 
thority, that  the  river,  where  the  Eunuch  is 
faid  to  have  been  baptized,  was  not  deep  e- 
nough  for  immerfion.  The  truth  is,  the 
words  rendered  into  and  out  of  might  with  e- 
qual  propriety  be  tranflated  10  and  from,  and 
they^muft  go  down  to  the  water  and  come  up 
from  it,  in  order  to  have  baptifm  adminifter- 
ed  according  to  either  mode. 

Thus  I  have  concifely  given  you  fome  of 
my   ideas  of  the  inftances  of  baptifm  above 


[    w     J 

mentioned.  I  do  not,  however,  confider 
them  as  examples  on  either  fide  ;  but  fome 
of  them  were  attended  with  fuch  circumftan- 
ces  of  time  and"  place,  as  to  render  the  prac- 
tice of  fprinkling  at  leafi  probable. 

P.  You  mention  the  practice  of  fprinkling, 
which  leads  me  to  aik,  what  appears  to  have 
been  the  prevailing  practice  of  the  church 
iince  the  days  of  the  Apoftles. 

M.  The  general  current  of  Eccleflaftical 
hiftory  bears  increafi ng  teftimony,  that  the 
baptifm  of  infants  has  been  ths  prevailing 
practice  of  the  chriftian  church  from  the  days 
of  the  Apoftles  down  to  our  own  times.  And 
I  believe,  that  fome  chriftians  and  churches, 
who  were  in  the  practice  of  immerfion,  have 
allowed  that  infants  are  the  proper  fubjecls 
of  baptifm,  and  in  that  way  have  received 
them  into  the  arms  of  the  church.  A  coun- 
cil of  fix  ty- fix  bifhops  was  formed  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  253.  The  grand  queftion  be- 
fore them  was  not,  whether  infants  mould  re 
ceive  baptifm,  but  whether  baptifm  might  be 
adminiftered  to  them  before  they  were  eight 
days  old,  according  to  the  law  of  circumci- 
iion  ?  The  refult  of  council  was  unanimous, 
"  that  the  baptifm  of  infants  was  not  to  be  deferred 
till  the  eighth  day.''  I  could  fill  pages  with  re- 
fpe&able  authorities,  drawn  from  hiftory,  to 
prove,  that  the  fame  practice  has  been  contin- 
ued from  age  to  age.  But  you  may  think  I, 
have  already  faid  too  much,  and  I  forbear. 


[  »«  ] 

P.  I  have  heard  you  with  pleafure,  and 
I  hope  I  (hall  make  a  good  improvement  of 
your  converfation. 

M.  You  advanced  one  idea,  fometime  a- 
go,  which  I  think  it  my  duty  to  notice.  You 
mentioned,  that,  though  you  were  baptized 
in  infancy,  you  have  had  thoughts  of  being 
plunged  rn  order  to  admiffion  into  the  church. 
We  are  not  to  triflle  with  fuch  things.  You 
have  received  baptifm  according  to  the  opin- 
ions and  practices  of  churches  regularly  form- 
ed, difciplined  and  taught.  Your  name  is 
enrolled  with  the  members  of  ChrifTs  vifible 
kingdom,  and  the  ordinance  was  adminifter- 
ed  before  the  church  by  one  duly  authoriz- 
ed, and  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the 
Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghojl.  If  there  bean 
error,  which,  however,  I  do  not  believe,  it  is 
not  yours.  It  belongs  to  the  church,  which 
authorized,  and  to  the  Pallor,  who  adminis- 
tered the  baptifm.  To  be  rebaptized  brings 
reproach  and  contempt  upon  the  chriftian 
profefiion,  and  offers  an  indignity  to  the  tre- 
mendous name,  into  which  you  were  baptiz- 
ed. I  fhould  as  readily  baptize  in  one  way 
as  the  other,  but  I  could  not  confidently  bap- 
tize any  perfon,  who  had  been  baptized  be- 
fore. To  baptize  infants  or  adult  perfons  by 
immerfion  at  an  inclement  feafon,  or  in  a 
weak  and  fickly  ftate,  feerns  to  be  hazardous, 
Excepting  thefe  circumftances  of  difference3 


[     *3     ] 

I  mould   have  no  objeBion  to  baptize    by 

plunging  any  proper  fubje&s. 

P.  I  rejoice  to  find  that  you  have  fo 
much  candour  and  charity,  I  wifh,  for  my 
part,  the  baptifts  had  more  charity  for  their 
fellow  chriftians.  That  matter  of  clofe  com- 
munion I  never  could  underfland. 

M.  There  are  many  ferious,  good  peo- 
ple among  the  baptifts,  and  I  refpecl  the  de- 
nomination. I  have  been  treated  by  them 
with  great  civility,  and  fome  of  my  family 
connexions  have  been  of  their  perfuafion. 
Some  of  their  moll  refpe&abie  Clergymen 
have  given  up  the  idea  of  clofe  communion, 
and  are  recommending  the  mantle  of  charity 
to  others. 

P.  But  what  has  commonly  been  the  root 
and  origin  of  bapuft  focieties  ?  Have  they 
generally  rifen  at  the  time  of  the  outpourings 
of  God's  Spirit,  and  in  feafons  of  general  a- 
wakening  and  reformation  ?  Or  have  they 
commonly  darted  up  in  confequence  of  dis- 
putes, quarrels  and  contentions  ? 

M.  Theft  queftions  I  acknowledge  are  of 
fome  weight,  but  they  are  not  more  impor- 
tant than  this  queftion,  Are  they  not  in  the 
character  of  baptifts,  as  regular  and  religious, 
as  chriftians  of  any  other  denomination  ? 

P.  There  are  fome  of  them  who  do  no 
honor  to  the  chriftian  profefiTion.  If  immer- 
fion  had  a  tendency  to  cleanfe  perfons  from 
moral  pollution,  it  would  be  neceflary  to  dig 


I    »4     3 

Tome  of  them  a  number  of  times  before  they 
*would  be  clean  and  pure. 

M.  It  is  fo  with  fome  of  every  denomina- 
tion. How  many  of  our  fellow  chriftians 
are  influenced  chiefly  by  their  paflions,  and 
by  considerations  of  wordly  intereft  ! 

P.  I  do  not  wifh  to  enlarge,  but  I  have 
a  right  to  my  own  opinion. 

M.  It  would  be  happy  for  civil  and  reli- 
gious focieties,  if  people  in  general  were  lefs 
inclined  to  enlarge  on  matters  of  difference, 
and  lefs  difpofed  to  magnify  each  other's  er- 
rors and  faults. 

'P.  I  believe  that  private  intereft,  preju- 
dice and  pafiion  do  a  great  deal  of  mifchief 
in  church  and  ftate.  How  often  people  fet 
up  men,  whom  they  know  to  be  bad,  and  op- 
pofe  others,  whom  they  know  to  be  good! 
It  is  aftonifhing  !  From  the  evil  confequen- 
ces  of  fuch  conducl,  good  Lord  deliver  us  ! 

M,  It  is  our  part  to  ufe  our  influence  and 
endeavors  to  bring  things  into  a  more  regu- 
lar train.  If  we  are  real  friends  to  fociety, 
we  ihall  confult  and  promote  its  beft  interefts. 
If  we  are  real  friends  to  religion,  we  (hall 
difcover  our  attachment  to  it.  at  home  and 
abroad,  and  nay  a  fat-red  regard  to  family  re- 
ligion and  public  worfhip.  I  hope  you  will 
imprefs  thefe  things  upon  vour  own  mind, 
and  upon  the  minds  of  your  children,  as  they 
become  capable  of  receiving  inftruclion. 


[     *5     J 

P.  It  is  my  prefent  purpofe,  and  I  hope  I 
{hall  carry  it  into  effecl.  I  Feel  under  great 
obligations  to  you,  Sir,  for  your  friendly  and 
inftru&ive  remarks  and  explanations.  It  is 
my  defrre  to  live  like  a  chriftian,  and  to  bring 
up  my  family  in  the  faith  and  order  of  the 
Gofpel. 

M.     Before  you  go,  I  wifh  to  be  indulged 
in  one  obfervation,   which   deeply  concerns 
you.     Every  one  ought  to  be  religious,  and 
every  religious  parent  fhould  make  hafle  and 
delay  not  to  devote  himfelf  and  his  offspring 
to   God   in  an  everlafting  covenant  never  to 
be  forgotten.     When  you  fhall  have  brought 
up  your  children  in  the  beft  manner  you  are 
able,  and  nVall  have  given  them  every  advan- 
tage   for  improvement,   fhall  you    not  think 
them    very    ungrateful,   if  they    will  not  ac- 
knowledge their  obligation  and  y oar  kindnefs, 
and  make   fome  fuitable  returns  for  all  your 
efforts   of  tendernefs  and  energies  of  love  ? 
God  has  done  infinitely  more  for  us,  than  a- 
ny    earthly  parent   can    do  for  his  children. 
And  fhall   we  negleO,  to  make  fome  grateful 
acknowledgement  and  fome  fuitable  returns  ? 
How  very  ungrateful  !   Let  us  not,  my  friend, 
forget    thefe  things,  but  walk  as    children  of 
the   light,    and  may  our  children  walk  in  the 
truth. 


PART    III. 


ON     THE 

Jnjlitution,   JDeJign  and   Benefits 

O*     T  H  E 

LORD'S     SUPPER. 


*l  Underftandtft   thou   what  thou  readeft ?    And  he  (aid,  how 
can  Ij  except  fame  man  ftiould  guide  me." 


ON     THE 

LORD'S  SUPPER. 

THE  obligation  we  are  under  to  obferve 
any  religious  inftitution  is  founded  up- 
on the  authority  and  injunctions  of  him  who 
appoints  it.  When  fufficient  evidence  ap- 
pears, that  an  inftitution  is  appointed  by  one 
duly  authorized  to  reveal  God's  will,  and  to 
direct  the  views  and  morals  of  men,  we  are 
under  as  ftrong  obligations  to  regard  and  ob- 
ferve it,  as  we  are  to  obey  any  divine  com- 
mand whatever.  Any  ordinance,  attended 
wid)  proper  teftimonials  of  its  divine  author- 
ity, whether  made  known  to  gu  by  a  prophet, 
an  angel,  or  the  only  begotten  of  the  Father, 
claims  our  unfeigned  relpecl  and  fteady  ob- 
fervance.  Of  this  defcription  is  the  Ordi- 
nance of  the  Lord's  Supper,  which  is  the  ap- 
pointed memorial  of  the  fufferings  and  death 


C   *7   J 

of  Chrift,  and  of  the  general  purpofe  for 
which  he  died.  It  was  inftituted  by  Jefus 
himfelf,  with  the  obvious  defign  of  promot- 
ing brotherly  love,  practical  religion  and  true 
holinefs.  His  commiffion  and  authority  can- 
not be  doubted  by  any,  who  receive  him  as  a 
Teacher  fent  from  God,  and  admit  the  gen- 
eral evidences  of  thfc  GofpeL 

The  nature  and  defign  of  this  Ordinance 
may  be  collected  from  the  words  and  anions 
of  Jefus  at  the  time  of  its  inftitution,  and 
from  the  teftimony  and  obfervations  of  thoie 
perfons,  who  were  authorized  and  infpired 
to  make  known  his  mind  and  will.  Of  Inch 
a  character  were  the  Apoftles  and  Evangel- 
ifts,  who  were  duly  commiffioneil  to  open  the 
treafures  of  the  Gofpel,  and  to  declare  the 
defign  of  its  rites  and  ordinances,  and  our 
obligations  to  obferve  them. 

From  a  collective  view  of  the  pafTages, 
which  contain  the  hiftory  of  this  excellent 
inftitution,  it  appears,  that  all  our  Saviour 
fold  and  did,  at  the  time  of  its  firft  introduc- 
tion, is  included  in  what  follows. 

Our  Lord,  while  celebrating  the  Jewifli 
PafTover  with  his  difciples,  called  their  atten- 
tion to  the  offering  he  was  about  to  make  of 
himfelf  for  the  remifTion  of  fins.  He  took 
and  broke  a  piece  of  bread  in  their  prefence  ; 
and,  after  he  had  given  thanks  and  bleffed  it, 
he  made  a  friendly  and  afFeftionate  diftribu- 
tion    of  it   among    them,  accompanied  with 


[     28    ] 

thefe  words  :  Take,  eat,  this  is  my  body  broken 
or  give?i  for  you  ;  this  do  in  remembrance  of  me. 
He  then  took  a  cup  and  gave  it  to  them,  fay- 
ing, drink,  of  it  all  of  you,  for  this  is  my  blood  of 
the  New  Covenant, ffied  for  the  remiffion  of  fins. 
This  do,  as  often  as  ye  drink  of  it,  in  remembrance 
of  me. 

Taking  into  confederation  all  that  took 
place  at  the  institution  of  the  Supper,  it  is  ev- 
ident, that  Jefus  commanded  his  difciples 
and  followers  to  obferve  a  praftice  of  eating 
bread  and  drinking  wine  together  in  remem- 
brance of  him.  He  required  them  to  eat  of 
the  bread  which  he  then  gave  them,  and  to 
eat  bread  thus  prepared,  from  that  time  for- 
ward, in  memory  of  his  counfels,  fnfFerings 
and  death.  His  language,  when  he  gave 
them  the  cup,  as  clearly  fhews,  that  they  were 
to  continue  the  practice  of  grateful  com- 
memoration. This  do,  as  oft  as  ye  drink  it,  in 
remembrance  of  me.  In  the  life  of  fuch  ele- 
ments, they  were  to  eat  of  the  bread,  as  a 
memorial  of  his  body,  broken  or  given  for 
them  ;  and  to  drink  of  the  wine,  as  a  memo- 
rial of  his  blood,  fhed  for  them.  Thefe  ele- 
ments, jointly  confidered,  are  the  appointed 
memorials  of  his  death,  fuffered  for  the  re- 
miffion of  fins.  *  f 

The  words  and  aBions  of  Jefus,  at  the  time 
this  Ordinance  was  inftituted,  do  not  contain, 
nor  imply,  either  a  promife  of  any  fpecial 
reward  to  attend   its  observance,  or  a  threat 


C       *9       J 

of  any  fpecial  punifhment  for  its  omiffian. 
What  was  faid  and  done  carries  no  more  than 
a  plain  and  clear  appointment  and  defcrrp- 
tion  of  the  Ordinance  itfelf,  and  a  pofitive 
and  twofold  command  to  celebrate  it.  And 
in  this  view,  it  may  anfwer  every  moral  and 
religious  purpofe  for  which  it  was  intended. 

The  reafons  and  grounds  of  its  inftitution 
were  not  peculiarly  applicable  to  thofe  who 
were  then  prefent,  nor  to  any  particular  pe- 
riod of  the  chriftian  church  ;  but  obtain  in 
all  ages.  And,  as  Jefus  did  not  exprefs  any 
intimation,  that  the  praclice  fhould  be  dis- 
continued, and  the  reafons  in  favor  of  it  al- 
ways holding  good,  we  may  fairly  conclude, 
that  he  defigned  it  as  a  Jtanding  Ordinance,  as 
a  perpetual  memorial  of  his  fufferings  and 
death,  through  ah*  periods  of  his  divine  reli- 
gion. To  eftablifh  this  point  beyond  all 
doubt,  let  it  be  remarked,  that  our  Lord, 
when  he  appointed  this  Ordinance,  was  cele- 
brating the  Jfewifh  PafTover.  While  in  judg- 
ment God  fmote  the  firlt  born  of  every  E- 
gyptian  family,  he  fawfit  to  fiafs  over  the  hou- 
fes  of  Ifrael,  and  in  mercy  to  preferve  them 
from  the  common  calamity.  The  Pajfover 
was  inflituted  in  the  Jewifh  law  as  a  (landing 
and  perpetual  memorial  of  the  remarkable 
deliverance  of  the  Jews  from  the  fatal  rava- 
ges of  the  deftroying  angel.  Such  being  the 
occafion  on  which  the  Lord's  Supper  was  in- 
ftitutedj  and  the  Pafchal  lamb  being  of  iingu- 

C  2 


[     30     J 

lar  importance  at  that  Jewifh  feftival,  it  is 
mariifeft,  that  there  is  a  perpetual  obligation 
on  chriftians  to  obferve  this  Ordinance  ap- 
pointed by  him,  who  is  the  lamb  (lain  from  the 
foundation  of  the  world.  And,  as  the  Paflf- 
over  was  kept  and  obferved  by  every  Jew, 
this  Ordinance  ought  to  be  celebrated  by  ev- 
ery chriliian. 

The  benefits,  which  we  may  expect  from  a 
fincere  and  confcientious  obfervance  of  it, 
are  that  approbation  of  God  and  of  our  kind 
Redeemer  and  of  confcience,  which  an  inten- 
tional compliance  with  the  divine  will  mufl 
certainly  fecure,  and  that  additional Jlrength  to 
the  principles  and  habits  of  virtue  and  piety, 
which  fuch  a  reafonable  and  affectionate  cel- 
ebration is  adapted  to  produce.  And,  on  the 
contrary,  the  evils  we  have  to  fear  from  our 
omiffion  and  neglect  to  celebrate  it,  are  that 
difap probation  of  God,  and  of  the  Redeemer, 
and  of  confcience,  which  a  voluntary  difo- 
bedience  to  the  divine  will  has  a  direct  ten- 
dency to  produce,  together  with  the  privation 
of  that  additional  Jlrength  of  our  moral  princi- 
ples and  habits,  which  would  refult  from  a 
due  celebration  of  it. 

In  recounting  the  benefits  of  this  facrcd 
Ordinance,  we  may  alfo  obferve,  that  it  ex- 
cites thofe  ferious  reflections  and  thankful 
acknowledgements,  which  the  doctrines  and 
life,  the  fufTerings  and  death  of  Clirift,  are 
calculated  to  infpire  ;  and  thofe  pious  refo- 


[     3*     } 

lutions  and  purpofes,  which  are  the  actuating 
principles  of  every  worthy  communicant.  It 
tends  toftrengthen  our  attachment  to  religion? 
to  cherifb  and  enliven  our  deftres  of  obedi- 
ence, and  to  infpire  the  fentiments  of  chrif- 
tian  piety  and  brotherly  love.  It  calls  into 
exercife  thofe  difpofttions  and  affections,  irv 
the  poiTeflion  and  difplay  of  which  every 
good  man  would  wifh  to  live  and  die.  In 
thefe  ways  it  regards  the  principal  objects 
and  promotes  the  main  defign  of  the  GofpeL 
To  pacify  and  encourage  doubting  chrif- 
tians,  we  mould  do  well  to  confider,  that 
whoever  eats  and  drinks  at  the  table  of  com- 
munion in  detigned  remembrance  of  ChrilT, 
and  with  a  prevailing  deilre  to  fulfil  his  com- 
mands, does  truly  and  properly  obey  the 
command  of  Jefus  in  the  inftitution.  By  re- 
flecting on  the  goodnefs  of  God  in- laying  the 
glorious  fcheme  of  redemption,  and  on  the 
condefcenfion  and  love  of  Chriii,  in  carrying 
it  into  effect,  together  wiih  our  obligations  to- 
comply  with  the  terms  of  the  New  Covenant, 
we  conform  to  the  fpirit  and  defign  of  this 
chrifhan  ordinance.  No  doubts  and  fcru- 
ples  ought,  therefore,  to  keep  any  perfonfrom 
the  table  of  our  common  Lord,  if  he  have  a 
prevailing  inclination  to  cberifh  fuch  reflex- 
ions and  to  fulfil  fuch  obligations.  To  fuch 
a  perfon  the  language  of  the  Gofpel  is,  come^ 
for  all  things  are  now  ready* 


E     3*     ) 

The  Ordinance  of  the  Supper  is  well  a~ 
dapted  to  make  good  irrpreffions  upon  our 
minds,  and  to  chenfh  goods  difpofmons  and 
motives.  It  ferves  at  the  fame  time  to  pre- 
pare our  hearts  for  thofe  influences  and  grac- 
es, which  are  necefTary  to  carry  on  the  work 
of  faith  with  power.  To  live,  therefore,  in 
the  full  belief  of  the  Gofpel,  and  yet  forego 
the  benefits  of  chriftian  communion,  is  in- 
confiftent.  To  live  under  a  fenfe  of  Gofpel 
grace,  and  yet  ncglecl  this  chriftian  Ordinance 
is  a  voluntary  drfobedience  of  a  positive  com- 
mand. And  he  who  know cth  his  Lord's  will  and 
prepay eth  not  himfelf^Jliall  be  beaten  with  many 
Jlripes.  He  is  verily  guilty.  Why  fhould 
not  the  fobcr  inquirer,  who  has  doubts  and 
fcruples  reftrng  upon  his  mind,  dread  the 
confequences  of  neglecting  a  command  di- 
rect and  pofitive,  to  which  he  is  bound  with 
a  twofold  cord,  as  well  as  dread  the  confe- 
quences of  approaching  the  Lord's  table  in 
an  improper  and  unworthy  manner  ?  Is  it 
fafe  to  neglect  the  duty  of  prayer,  through 
fear  that  we  mail  not  pray  in  faith  P  Shall  we 
abfent  oarfelves  from  the  houfe  and  worfhip 
of  God,  left  me  fhould  not  worfhip  him  in 
fpirit  and  in  truth  ?  Through  fear  of  any  e- 
vils,  fhall  we  voluntarily  expofe  ©urfelves  to 
greater  evils  ?  From  an  apprehenfion  that  we 
may  not  do  right,  fhall  we  do  what  we  know 
to  be  wrong  ?  Let  reafon  and  kripture  an- 
fwer. 


[     33     ] 

We  know  that  fome  have  an  idea,  that  the 
conditions  of  admiflion  into  the  church  arc 
hard  and  arbitrary.  Others  may  urge,  that 
there  is  fuch  a  proportion  of  immoral  men 
among  profefTors,  as  to  render  it,  in  their  o- 
pinion,  inexpedient  and  fmful  to  join  in  com- 
munion. Difficulties  cf  this  kind  but  too 
frequently  occur,  andare  matter  of  lamenta- 
tion. But  my  brother's  vices  ought  not  to 
keep  me  from  enjoying  chriftian  privileges, 
nor  from  obeying  the  commands  of  my  Lord 
and  Matter.  On  the  quedion  of  duty,  per- 
fons  fhould  examine  and  proceed  with  the 
utmoft  caution.  They  muft  take  heed,  that 
they  rcnke  an  honed  and  faithful  ufe  of  their 
faculties  and  advantages,  in  forming  their  o- 
pinions,  and  in  making  up  the  judgment  up- 
on which  they  acl.  For  without  diligent  in- 
quiry and  refearch  after  truth,  they  may  re- 
ject conditions,  which  are  according  to  rea- 
fon  and  fcripture  ;  or  may  fubfcribe  to  arti- 
cles of  faith,  which  neither  reafon  nor  fcrip- 
ture warrants. 

The  inftitution  being  exprefsly  defigned 
to  commemorate  the  greateit  fufFerings,  the 
pureft  affcftion  and  the  mod  fignal  benefits,, 
the  author  feels  it  to  be  his  duty  to  exhort 
and  entreat  every  one  to  take  the  fubje£t  into 
ferrous  confederation.  Let  thofe, .who  have 
never  made  public  profefiion  of  chriftianity,. 
faithfully  inquire  into  the  caufes  and  confe- 
quences  of  their  oroiflion.     Let  none  forget 


f     34    1 

the  folemn    and  affe&ing  words  of  Chrift. 

"  Whofoever  fliall  confefs  me  before  men,  him  fliall 
the  [on  of  man  alfo  confefs  before  the  angels  of  God; 
kit  he,  that  denicth  me  before  men,  fhall  be  denied 
kef  ore  the  angels  of  God" 

With  what  propriety  can  we  reckon  our- 
felves  among  the  followers  of  Jefus,  while 
we  neglect  his  pofrtive  injunBions,  and  refufe 
si  fhare  ki  that  legacy  of  love,  which  he  left 
to  the  church  ?  If  we  fuffer  our  doubts  to 
prevail  and  feel  unwilling  to  wear  the  diftin- 
guiding  marks  and  badges  of  a  ehriftian, 
bow  can-  we  expecl  to  enjoy  the  benefits  of 
the  Covenant,  and  become  partakers  of  the 
heavenly  inheritance  I  Chrift  being  the  only 
true  way  to  eternal  life,  the  great  Redeemer 
of  men,  how  can  we  let  the  memory  of  his 
death  ever  die  I  Our  hve  to  him  and  our  re- 
gard  to  his  inftkuiions  fhould  keep  alive  the 
remembrance  of  his  love  to  the  world. 

To  tnvprefsand  penetrate  the  minds  of  all, 
let  us  fuppofe  the  table  of  chnftian  commun- 
ion fpread  and  lurnifhed  with  proper  ele- 
ments, and  our  kind  Redeemer  at  the  head  of 
it  adducing  his  difciples  and  the  muliitude 
in  this  periuafive  language  :  Come  unto  me  all 
ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give 
you  reJL  Take  my  yoke  upon  you  and  learn  of  me  ; 
for  1  am  meek  and  lozvly  of  heart.  My  yoke  is 
eafy  and  my  burden  is  light.  Let  not  your  hearts 
be  troubled  ;  ye  believe  in  God  ;  believe  alfo  in 
we.     In  my  Fathers  hovfe  are  many  manfion^ 


E    35     I 

and  to  encourage  and  guide  you  in  preparing  for 
them,  I  will  fend  you  ike  Comforter,  even  the  Spirit 
of  truth,  who  fliall. abide  with  you,  that  where  I  am 
ye  may  be  alfo.  You  ought  never  to  forget  what  I 
have  done  andfuffered,  and  that  you  may  not,  eat 
of  this  bread  and  drink  of  this  cup  in  remembrance 
of  me.  Since  ye  know  thefe  things*  happy  are  ye? 
if  ye  do  them.  If  ye  love  me  and  believe  that  the 
Father  hath  fent  me^  neglect  not  this  my  lafl  requeft 
and  injunElion. 

Thus  does  the  Gofpel  prefent  to  us  mani- 
fold inducements  and  motives,  invitations 
and  perfuafives,  to  approach  the  table  of  our 
Lord.  And  Jefus  himfelf  fills  our  mouths 
with  arguments  to  feek  the  bleffings  of  the 
Gofpel  Covenant.,  and  to  live  and  walk  as 
brethren.  The  conditions  of  divine  accep- 
tance being  plain  and  reafonable,  I  fell  un- 
willing that  any  fhould  reject  them.  To  im- 
prove our  moral  difpofuions  and  to  promote 
vital  religion  and  focial  happinefs  enters  into 
*he  defign  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  I  lament 
that  any  perfons  of  ferioufnefs  and  piety 
mould  deprive  themfelves  of  its  benefits.  As 
Jefus,  who  appointed  this  Ordinance,  placed 
all  in  a  faUable  Rate  by  his  fufferings  and 
death,  and  once  offered  himfelf  for  the  fins 
of  the  world,  it  is  devoutly  to,  be  wiflied,  that 
all  would  believe  with  the  heart  unto  right- 
eoufnefs,  and  that  confeffion  might  be  made 
with  the  mouth  unto  falvation.  From  the 
hiftory   of  the  primitive  ages  of  cbiiftianny* 


r  36  ] 

it  appears,  that  the  whole  body  of  chrifttans 
received  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  that  all  who 
devoutly  attended  public  worfhip  joined  in 
communion.  Oh!  that  fuch  a  practice,  fup- 
ported  by  a  fenfe  of  duty,  may  foon  obtain 
in  this  favored  land,  and  bring  all  clafles  of 
people  into  one  chriftian  brotherhood  ! 

To  haften  the  arrival  of  fuch  a  happy  pe- 
riod, let  us  confider  the  qualifications  of  a 
worthy  communicant,  and  earneftlv  ftrive  to 
pofTefs  them.  A  ferious  difpofdion  of  mind  to 
regard  the  inflrutlions  of  God's  word,  and  an  in- 
tentional obedience  to  the  commands  and  institutions 
of  Chri/l9  are  the  grand  reauifites  of  a  worthy  cel- 
ebration. Nothing  but  a  want  of  a  ferious 
and  good  intention  can  make  the  Ordinance 
of  the  Supper  productive  of  any  evil  or  dan- 
ger. The  pofjejfion  of  thofe  principles,  which 
are  fuppofed  ever  to  acluate  a  man  of  virtue, 
and  a  defire  to  commemorate  the  fufferings  of 
Chrift  in  accomplifhing  the  adopted  plan  of 
redemption,  have  a  commanding  influence 
on  the  temper  and  practice,  and  form  a  valu- 
able part  of  that  moral  vefture,  which  gains 
a  welcome  reception  to  him  who  wears  it  at 
the  table  of  chriftian  communion. 

A  {'tnCc  of  imperfection,  frailty  and  fin,  is 
no  fufficient  reafon  for  denying  ourfelves 
chriftian  privileges,  but  for  availing  ourfelves 
of  all  the  helps  within  reach.  If  our  faith 
and  hope  are  feeble,  and  our  patience  and 
/irmnefs   are  deficient^  we  certainly    require 


C     37     3 

fomething  to  ftrengthen  our  refolutions  and 
to  fortify  our  minds.  We  need  fomething 
to  purify  and  exalt  our  affections,  and  to  pen- 
etrate and  govern  our  hearts.  To  anfwer 
thefe  important  purpofes  the  Ordinance  of 
the  Supper  is  well  adapted,  and  the  injunc- 
tion of  our  Lord  is  always  a  reafon  for  cele- 
brating it.  There  is  nothing  in  it  which  ought 
to  excite  any  painful  apprehenfion  in  the 
minds  of  the  honeft  and  fincere.  We  know 
it  is  written,  "  He  that  eateth  and  drinketJi  un- 
worthily',  eateth  and  drinketh  damnation  to  himfdj, 
not  difcerning  the  Lord's  body.""  On  this  pafTage, 
however,  it  is  no  more  than  fair  to  allow  the 
Apoftle  the  privilege  of  explaining  himfelf. 
The  great  and  alarming  exceCfes  of  the  Co- 
rinthian Church  fully  account  for  the  expref- 
fion,  which  \\\z  Apoftle  here  ufes.  In  the 
very  next  verfe  (1  Cor.  xi.  30)  he  fays,  .For 
this  caufe,  many  among  you  are  weak,  and  jickly^ 
and  many  flee  pi  or  die.  Bodily  diforders  and 
■ficknefs  and  death  were  the  frequent  confe- 
quences  of  their  wanton  exceffes  and  finful 
indulgence.  Thefe  various  evils  conflitute 
that  heavy  judgment  and  juft  condemnation, 
which  unworthy  partakers  ate  and  drank  to 
themfelves.  The  term,  Unworthily,  figmfies 
improperly,  undefervedly,  bafely.  They  are 
and  drank  without  reference  to  the  deljgn  of 
the  Ordinance,  and  for  the  vile  purpofes  of 
intemperance  and  excefs.  The  word,  d/m- 
nation^  in  this  place,  means  puniflirnent,  judg- 

D 


[     38     3 

ment,  vengeance.  If  inftead  of  keeping  in 
view  the  defign  of  the  inftitution,  they  ate  at 
the  table  of  gluttony,  and  drank  the  cup  of 
intemperance,  they  mufl  ftand  condemned  at 
the  bar  of  confeience,  and  in  the  fight  of 
God  and  man.  A  want  of  decency  in  their 
behavior  at  the  Lord's  table,  and  a  want  of 
refpeft  to  the  Ordinance,  muft  lead  on  to  un- 
nappy  confequences,  and  expofe  them  to 
God's  difpleafure.  But  by  the  mod  impar- 
tial and  critical  inquiry,  of  which  I  am  capa- 
ble, into  the  true  meaning  and  import  of  the 
paflage,  in  connexion  with  the  context,  there 
is  no  particular  reference  to  future  punifh- 
rnent,  nor  to  a  ftate  of  exact  retribution.  It 
does  not  place  the  a£t  of  communion  upon  a 
different  footing  from  any  other  religious  act 
whatever.  And  fome,  who  ate  and  drank 
unworthily,  in  the  fenfe  of  the  paiTage  under 
confideration,  became,  no  doubt,  true  peni- 
tents, and  are  now  gone  to  inherit  the  prom- 
ifes.  I  am  fenfible,  however,  that  ouriln 
and  guilt  in  negleBing  a  duty,  recommended 
to  our  reafon  and  underftanding  with  lingu- 
lar force,  urged  by  arguments  peculiarly 
weighty  and  momentous,  and  attended  with 
benefits  of  a  fuperior  nature,  both  in  number 
and  degree,  are  greatly  aggravated.  Except- 
ing thefe  circumflances  of  difference,  reli- 
gious afts  are  upon  a  fitnilar  footing  ;  chrif- 
tian  ordinances  reft  upon  a  fimilar  foundation. 
Our  acceptance  in  doing  and  obferving  them 


I     39     3 

depends  on  fimilar  qualifications.  Without 
a  fincere  regard  to  the  authority  of  God  and 
to  the  obligations  of  duty,  we  cannot  reafon- 
ably  hope  for  divine  acceptance  in  any  reli- 
gious a£t  or  ordinance.  But,  when  actuated 
byTuch  a  regard  to  God  and  duty,  we  do  well, 
and  mail  be  approved  and  accepted.  This 
laft  obfervation,  deeply  imprefled  upon  the 
mind,  will  greatly  relieve  andaffift  the  doubt- 
ful and  defponding  christian,  in  reading  and 
underftanding  fuch  parts  of  the  New  Tefta- 
ment,  as  relate  to  the  Ordinance  of  the  Supper. 

Many  have  been  kept  back  from  the  Lord's 
table  on  account  of  the  forbidding  afpecl  of 
particular  pafTages,  which  do  not' apply  to  the 
foher  and  fincere  inquirer,  but  are  directed 
to  the  profligate  and  abandoned.  The  minds 
of  others  have  labored  on  the  fubjecl  in  con- 
fequence  of  mifreprefentations  of  this  Ordi- 
nance. And  while  we  lament,  that  this  ex- 
cellent inftitution  has  been  fo  much  abufed 
and  perverted,  we  ought  to  rejoice  with  grat- 
itude, that  the  fcripture  doctrine  of  it  is  fo 
fully  reftored,  and  that  there  are  fuch  pow- 
erful arguments  and  fo  many  precious  oppor- 
tunities to  celebrate  it. 

What  now  remains  to  be  faid  is  in  the  way 
of  improvement  and  application. 

The  unbounded  love  of  the  Redeemer  of 
men  mould  infpire  love  in  the  breafts  of  all 
the  redeemed.  The  glorious  work  of  our  re- 
demption by  Jefus  Chrift  deferves  to  be  had 


[     4°     ] 

in  everlafting  remembrance.  All,  who  en- 
joy the  light  of  the  Gofpel  and  are  capable 
of  the  fervice,  ought  to  engage  in  the  duty 
of  grateful  commemoration.  The  Ordinance 
of  the  Supper  having  a  tendency  to  promote 
a  fpirit  of  piety  and  the  practice  of  univer- 
sal righteoufnefs,  young  petfons,  as  well  as 
old,  may  derive  from  it  peculiar  advantage. 
And  as  the  Ifraelite  was  directed  to  explain 
to  his  child  the  nature  and  defign  of  the  Jew- 
ifh  Paffover,  fo  ought  the  chriilian  parent  to 
explain  to  his  offspring  the  nature  and  defign 
of  the  Lord's  Supper.  He  ought  frequently 
to  mention  before  his  family  the  benevolent 
actions,  the  amiable  character  and  atoning 
facrifice  of  Jefus. 

Under  the  manifold  confederations  which 
have  employed  our  attention,  let  none,wheth- 
er  old  or  young,  rich  or  poor,  who  have  a  de- 
fire  to  live  a  life  of  religion,  refufe  another 
invitation  to  the  table  of  chriftian  commun- 
ion, which  I  now  give  them  in  the  name  of 
our  common  Lord  and  Mailer. 

To  conclude.  May  chriftian  profeffors  walk 
as  children  of  light,  that  others  may  be  perfuad- 
ed  to  glorify  our  Father  in  heaven,  and  come 
with  fincerity  and  gratitude  to  the  commemor- 
ating feaft  of  love.  And  may  all  be  brought 
to  the  knowledge,  profeffion  and  practice  of 
the  truth,  as  it  is  in  Jefus,  and  be  edified  in 
the  faith  and  fellowfhip  of  the  Gofpel,  through 
.the  bloodof  the everlafting Covenant.  Amen. 


PART    IV 


Of   PRAYER, 


With  a  number  of  Forms  of  Family  Prayer, 
Jliort  and  plain* 


THERE  is  a  natural  tendency  in  the  foul 
of  man  to  fly  to  fome  fuperior  being  for 
help  in  danger  and  diftrefs;  to  exercife  grat- 
itude for  fenfible  and  fubftantial  good,  and 
unbofom  itfelf,  as  occafions  require,  to  an  a- 
ble  and  tried  friend.  So  that  the  duty  of 
prayer  feems  to  be  founded  in  our  very  na- 
ture. The  a£h  of  faith  and  love,  adoration 
and  praife,  which  refult  from  a  j-uft  view  of 
the  divine  perfections,  together  with  the  f^n- 
timents  and  cuftoms  of  all  nations,  plainly 
fhew,  that  religious  worfhip  is  conformable  to 
the  light  of  reafon,  and  conducive  to  the 
moral  improvement  and  happinefs  of  man. 
Religion  is  the  principal  bufinefs  of  life,  and 
prayer  is  a  valuable  part  of  religion.  To 
render  our  fincere  thanks  and  devout  horn* 
age  to  God,  and  to  give  unto  him  the  glory 
dje  unto  his  name,  is  our  reafonable  fervice, 
and  is  defigned  for  our  advantage.  By  pray- 
er we  draw  near  to  God,  lift  up  our  fouls  to 
him,  and  fpread  our  wants  before  him.  It 
becomes  us  to  addrefs  the  infinite  Majefty  of 

D2 


[       42       J 

heaven  from  the  clofets  of  our  hearts,  in  our 
families  and  in  the  fanfruary.  But  owing  to 
the  progrefs  of  vice,  and  the  alarming  decay 
of  piety,  love  in  many  waxes  cold,  and  the 
duty  of  prayer  is  furprifingly  neglecled. 
How  many  families  live  without  offering 
morning  and  evening  facrifice  to  the  common 
Parent  and  Friend  of  man  !  While  the  ox 
knoweth  his  owner  and  the  afs  his  mailer's 
crib,  and  while  the  feathered  tribes,  in  their 
feafon,  fail  not  to  chant  forth  their  morning 
and  evening  fongs,  how  many  families  appear 
to  live  unmindful  of  the  God  who  made  them, 
and  lightly  efteem  the  rock  of  their  falvation  ! 
The  author  of  this  work,  painfully  fenfible 
of  the  declining  ftate  of  family  religion,  and 
feeling  a  tender  concern  for  the  welfare  and 
happinefs  of  parents  and  children,  is  led  to 
fpeak  from  the  fulnefs  of  his  heart  to  heads 
of  families,  and  to  entreat  them,  if  they  have 
been  deficient,  no  longer  to  negle£t  a  duty 
fo  plain  and  important.  To  perfuade  them 
to  this  duty  and  to  affift  them  in  its  perform- 
ance, whole  volumes  have  been  written.  Not 
long  fince,  a  Prayer  Book  for  the  ufe  of  fam- 
ilies was  prepared  by  the  AiTociation  of  Min- 
ifters  in  and  about  Portfmouth,  in  New-Hamp- 
fhire.  This  book  opens  with  a  well  adapted 
and  affectionate  addrefs  to  heads  of  families 
on  the  fubjecl,  and  adminifters  gentle  reproof 
to  prayerlefs  families,  and  gives  them  friend- 
ly and  judicious  counfel  and  advice.     That 


[     43     J 

valuable  work  the  author  of  this  recommends 
to  every  family,  as  containing  forms  of  devo- 
tion adapted  to  morning  and  evening,  and  to 
particular  aud  extraordinary  occafions,  and 
as  well  calculated  to  anfwer  trV*  pious  inten- 
tion of  that  extenfive  and  refpeclable  AlTo- 
ciation.  The  objeft  in  preparing  the  follow- 
ing prayers  for  a  family  is  to  aid  the  fame 
laudable  defign,  of  alTifting  the  inquifitive, 
convincing  the  erroneous  and  eftablifhing 
the  juft.  He  fubmits  them  to  the  confidera-^ 
tion  of  families,  and  defires  to  devote  this 
work  to  them  and  himfelf  to  God,  with  whom 
is  the  refidue  of  the  fpirit.  And  he  hopes 
lhat  every  one,  who  has  the  care  of  a  family, 
will  be  led  to  refolve  and  exprefs  himfelf  in 
the  language  of  ancient  piety- — "  As  for  me 
and  my  houfe,  we  xuillfcrvt  the  Lord" 

N.  B.  Any  perfon,  who  feels  a  reluctance 
at  taking  the  lead  in  family  devotion,  and  ef- 
pecially  one  who  has  lately  entered  into  a 
family  (late,  may  ufe  the  following  forms  of 
prayer,  by  reading  them  before  his  family  for 
fix  monihs  or  a  year  ;  and,  by  thus,  reading 
them  with  ferious  attention,  he  will  render 
the  fentiments  and  language  fo  familiar,  as 
to  go  on  with  much  propriety  and  with  more 
feeling  and  devotion  without  fuch  helps. 


t     44     I 

Prayer   I. 

For  the  Morning  of  the  Lord's  Day. 

ALMIGHTY  and  moft  merciful  Father  t 
Who  art  the  Former  of  our  bodies  and  Fa- 
ther of  our  fpirits,  and  whofe  providence  and 
tender  mercies  are  over  all  thy  works.  Thy 
works,  O  God,  praife  Thee  and  thy  faints 
blefs  Thee.  For  thine  is  the  greatnefs,  and 
the  power,  and  the  majetyy,  and  Thou  ruleft 
and  reigneft  over  all.  Lord,  quicken  us  to 
call  upon  thy  name,  and  enable  .us  to  ap- 
proach Thee  with  reverence  and  godly  fear. 
Wilt  Thou,  the  Father  of  lights,  enlighten 
our  minds  in  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  ;• 
wilt  Thou,  the  Father  of  mercies,  have  mer- 
cy on  us  guilty  tinners,  and  infpire  our  hearts 
wiih  love  to  Thee  and  to  Jefus  Chrift  the  Sou 
of  thy  love.  As  Thou  art  every  where  pre- 
fent,andknoweft  ourdifpofhions  and  motives, 
our  actions  and  characters  ;  as  Thou  know- 
eft  our  down  fitting  and  uprifing,  and  under- 
itandeft  our  thoughts  afar  off,  may  we  hum- 
ble ourfelves  before  Thee,  and  offer  this  our 
morning  facrifice  upon  the  altar  of  each  of 
our  hearts,  May  fin  of  every  name  and  na- 
ture appear  to  us,  as  it  really  isy  ofrenfive  to 
Thee  and  deftruBive  of  our  beft  good.  And 
may  we  hite  and  forfake  every  evil  and  falfe 
way.  Help  us  to  pay  our  principal  regard  to 
things  of  the  higheft  value,  and  make  every 
other   confideration  yield  lo    that  of  duty. 


C     45     J 

Let  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God  influence 
and  regulate  our  livesand  converfations,  and 
may  we  fecure  the  pleafures  of  a  good  con- 
ference, the  bleflings  of  religion  and  the  re^ 
wards  of  piety.  O !  that  a  fenfe  of  thy 
goodnefsand  our  dependence  may  attend  and 
direct  us  through  all  the  labors,  concerns  and 
cares  of  life  and  love. 

We  thank  Thee  for  thy  protection  and 
bounty  to  the  prefent  time  j  for  the  inftruc- 
tions  of  thy  word,  the  influences  of  thy  fpirit, 
and  the  hopes  of  happihefs  beyond  the  grave. 
Glory  to  God  and  the  Redeemer,  for  the  Gof* 
pel  which  brings  life  and  immortality  to  lights 
and  which  allures  us,  that  Thou  art  reconcil- 
ing the  world  to  thyfelf  by  Jefus  Chrift,  the 
one  Mediator  between  God  and  man.  O  ! 
that  we  may  breathe  the  fpirit  of  his  religion, 
imitate  his  example  and  acquire  the  charac- 
ter of  his  true  difciples.  We  thank  Thee, 
that  we  are  brought  to  this  morning  of  thy 
day.  May  we  be  in  the  fpirit  on  this  the 
Lord's  day,  and  worfhip  Thee  in  fpirit  and  in 
truth.  May  the  Sabbath  be  out  delight,  and 
we  difcharge  the  duties  of  it  with  fervor  and 
devotion.  Be  with  all  the  worfhipping  afTem- 
blies  of  thy  people.  May  minifters  preach 
with  the  power  and  demonftration  of  the 
fpirit,  and  may  people  attend  with  hearing  ears 
and  understanding  hearts.  Blefs  us  of  this 
family.  Delight  to  dwell  under  this  roof. 
Take   poffeffion  of  our  hearts,  and  guide  us 


[     46     ] 

in  the  path  of  thy  law.  Blefs  our  connexions 
and  friends.  Wilt  Thou  afford  relief  to  the 
forrowful,  health  to  the  fick,  inftru&ion  to 
the  ignorant,  and  thy  parental  eare  and  blef- 
fing  to  all.  Blefs  this  town  and  the  land 
which  gave  us  birth,  in  all  their  important  in- 
terefts  and  concerns.  Encircle  in  the  arms 
of  thine  affe£tion  and  mercy  the  whole  fami- 
ly of  man.  Let  thy  kingdom  come  and  thy 
will  be  done  on  earth,  as  in  heaven,,  for  the 
Redeemer's  fake,  to  whom  with  the  Father 
and  the  Holy  Ghoft  be  praife  forever  and 
ever.  Amen. 


Praybr   II. 

For  Sabbath  Evening. 

O  THOU  great  Parent  and  Friend  of 
Mankind  I  On  whom  all  eyes  wait,  and  to 
whom  all  flefh  fhould  come.  May  it  pleafe 
Thee  to  hearken  to  the  voice  of  our  fuppli- 
cation,  for  unto  Thee  will  we  direft  our  pray- 
er and  look  up.  As  we  are  encouraged  to 
fpeak  unio  Thee,  wilt  Thou  hear  in  heaven, 
and,  when  Thou  beared,  anfwer  and  forgive. 
And  as  we  know  not  how  to  order  our  fpeech 
aright  before  Thee  by  reafon  of  darknefs  and 
fin,  grant  us  thine  holy  Spirit  to  help  our  in- 
firmiiies,  to  indite  our  petitions,  and  to  en- 
gage our  hearts  in  thy  iervice.  Quicken  us 
to  call  upon  thy  name,  and  animate  our  de- 
votions.    We  befeech  Thee,  for  the  fake  of 


r  47  i 

thy  Son,  to  pardon  our  fins  and  have  refpeft 
unto  this  our  prayer.  May  we  fee  the  need 
we  fland  in  of  fuch  a  Saviour  as  Thou  haft 
provided,  and  believe  in  him  to  the  faving  of 
our  fouls,  In  our  addreffes  to  thy  throne, 
may  we  gratefully  acknowledge  thy  favors, 
penitently  confefs  our  (ins,  and  devoutly  im- 
plore thy  forgivenefs  and  blefling.  We  thank 
Thee  for  domeftic,  focial  and  religious  fa- 
vors; for  Sabbaths  and  fancluary  privileges; 
for  the  day  and  m^ans  of  grace  arid  for  the 
hopes  of  glory.  May  the  preached  word,  to 
which  we  have  this  day  attended,  be  follow- 
ed with  thy  blefli.ig,  and  be  as  good  feed  fown 
in  good  ground,  and  bring  forth  much  fruit. 
Pardon  the  coldut-fs  and  indifference  v\ith 
which  we  have  performed  the  diui  of  pub- 
lie  and  focial  worfhip,  and  make  us  more  fer- 
vent in  fpirit,  ferving  the  Lord.  We  rejoice 
with  thankfulnefs  in  the  pofleffion  and  evi- 
dences of  the  Gofpel  ;  in  the  inftitutions  it 
appoints,  and  in  the  hopes  it  infpires.  In  the 
temper  of  our  minds  and  in  the  tenor  of  ou**  - 
conduQ,  may  we  conform  to  its  rules  and 
maxims,  and  let  the  lives  we  live  in  the  flefk 
be  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God.  Wilt 
Thou  work  in  us  the  work  of  faith  with  pow- 
er, and  filed  abroad  thy  love  in  our  hearts, 
that  we  rmy  make  the  bed  improvement  of 
our  time  and  talents,  and  obtain  the  end  of 
our  faith,  even  the  falvation  of  our  fouls. 
Lei  thy  blefling   reft  upon  us  and  thy  grace 


[     48     ] 

Hbe  fufScient  for  us,  in  all  the  conditions  and 
circumftances  of  life.  May  this  family  be- 
long to  the  houfehold  of  faitb,  and  be  favor- 
ed with  every  needed  good.  Wilt  Thou  ac- 
commodate thy  mercies  to  the  aged  and  the 
young,  to  the  widow  and  thefatherlefs,  to  the 
forrowful  and  afllifted,  and  to  all  whom  we 
ought  to  bear  on  our  hearts  and  tongues  to 
thy  throne.  Grant,  we  befeech  Thee,  that 
pure  religion  may  reign  in  the  hearts  and  gov- 
ern the  lives  of  thy  people  in  this  town.  May 
we  know  how  good  and  pleafant  it  is  for 
brethren,  friends  and  neighbors  to  dwell  to- 
gether in  unity  and  love,  and  endeavor  to 
leflen  the  calamities  and  encreafe  the  prof- 
perity  of  each  other.  Wilt  Thou  blefs  Ru- 
lers and  Citizens,  Minifters  and  people,  and 
let  thern  fulfil  their  refpedive  parts  in  all 
the  cares  and  duties  of  life.  Put  an  end  to 
wars  and  fightings  through  the  world,  and  let 
the  peaceful  reign  of  the  Prince  of  peace 
foon  arrive.  Thefe  favors  we  afk,  and  thefe 
praifes  we  offer  in  the  Mediator's  name,  be- 
feeching  Thee  to  accept  of  us  and  of  our  de- 
fire  s  to  ferve  Thee,  to  take  the  charge  of  us 
this  night  and  carry  us  to  the  light  and  pre- 
pare us  for  the  duties  of  another  day  :  For 
thine  is  the  kingdom,  the  power  and  the  glo* 
ry,  forever  and  ever. 

Amen. 


r  49  3 

Prayer  III. 

For  the  Morning. 

SUPREMELY    great   and   glorious  Lord 
our  God  !   We  adore  and  worfhip  Thee  as  a 
Being,  poffefled  of  every  perfe&ion   and  at- 
tribute, which  can    render  a  character  com- 
pletely   glorious  and    fupremely    hapry,  or 
claim    the  love  and  fervice  of  rational  crea- 
tures.    We  now  come  into  thy  prefence,  be- 
lieving that  Thou  art  a  God  hearing  prayer, 
and  art  the  Rewarderof  them,  who  diligent- 
ly feek  Thee.     In  the  name  of  Jefus  Chrift, 
we    would    now   lift  up  our  fouls  unto  Thee, 
and    offer    this    our  morning  (acrifice.     We 
unitedly  thank  Thee  for  thy  care  and  bounty, 
and    for   thy  protection  and  grace.     Having 
obtained  help  from  God,  we  continue  to  the 
prefent  time.     We  have  been  prefervcd  an- 
other night  and  are  brought  to  the  light  and 
enjoyments    of  this    morning,    becaufe    thy 
compaffion    and    mercy  fail   not.      Blefs   the 
Lord,  O   our    fouls   and  all  that  is  within  us, 
blefs  and  praife  his  holy  name.      Plncouraged 
by  our  pad  experience,  we  now  commit  our- 
(elves  to  thy  protecting  providence.      Guard 
us,  this  day,  from  every  ftn,  affilt  us  in  every 
duty,  and  carry  us  to  the  clofe  of  it  in  health 
and  peace.      And  in  fpending  the  whole  day 
of  life,  may  we    difplay  every  chriftian  grace 
and  every  amiable  virtue.     Sanclify  to  us  all 
thy  dealings,    whether  merciful  or  aftiiSive, 


[     50     J 

and  work  in  us  the  work  of  faith  with  power. 
Biefs  all  for  whom  we  ought  to  pray.  Let 
a  fenfe  of  our  own  imperfections  and  faults 
lead  us  to  exercife  candour  and  charity  to- 
wards others,  and  let  a  fpirit  of  peace,  truth 
and  righteoufnefs  influence  and  govern  ali 
ranks  of  men.  Overrule  the  affairs  of  church 
and  itate  for  the  honor  of  thy  name,  for  the 
profperity  of  Zion,  and  for  the  peace  and 
welfare  of  ali  claffes  of  people  through  this 
our  native  land,  and  through  the  world.  In 
the  comprehenfive  language  of  our  Lord, 
would  we  now  fum  up  our  defires  and  peti- 
tions to  Thee,  "  Our  Father,  who  art  in  hea- 
ven ;  hallowed  be  thy  name  ;  thy  kingdom 
come  ;  thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in 
heaven  ;  give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread; 
forgive  us  our  debts  as  we  forgive  our  debt- 
ors ;  lead  us  not  into  temptation,  but  deliver 
us  from  evil  ;  for  thine  is  the  kingdom,  pow- 
er and  glory  forever."     Amen. 

o 

Prayer   IV. 

For  the  Evening. 

ALMIGHTY  and  mod  gracious  God! 
Who  ruleft  in  the  kingdoms  of  nature,  prov- 
idence and  grace,  and  art  the  great  Giwcr  and 
Xord  of  life.  The  heavens  declare  thy  glo- 
ry. Day  unto  day  uttereth  fpeech  and  one 
night  (peaks  to  another  concerning  thy  truth 
and  faiihfulnefs  ;  and  thy  tender  mercies  arc 


[  h   J 

over  all  tby  works.  Thou,  Lord,  waft  the 
Proteftor  of  our  infancy,  the  Guide  of  our 
childhood  and  youth,  and  haft  been  our 
Guardian  and  Friend  to  the  prefent  time. 
We  acknowledge  thy  fatherly  care,  thy  liber- 
al bounty  and  thine  abundant  grace.  We 
lament,  that  we  have  made  no  better  returns 
for  thy  favors.  May  we  have  a  prevailing 
fenfe  of  our  paft  ingratitude  and  difobedi- 
ence,  and  be  led  to  that  repentance  which  is 
unto  life.  May  we  carry  with  us  a  conftant 
fenfe  of  our  dependence  and  thygoodnefs, 
and  endeavor  to  conform  in  heart  and  life  to 
thy  holy  will.  We  thank  Thee  for  all  thou 
haft  done  for  the  recovery  and  happinefs  of 
a  finful  world.  Thou  didft  make  known  thy 
gracious  intentions  to  our  firfl  parents,  prom- 
ifing  that  the  feed  of  the  woman  fhould  bruife 
the  ferpent's  head.  Thou  didft  (peak  to  our 
fathers  by  the  prophets,  and  Thou  art  now 
fpeaking  to  us  and  making  overtures  .of  mer- 
cy, by  thy  Son,  Jefus  Cb rift.  O  that  we 
may  receive  the  Saviour,  whom  Thou  haft 
provided,  in  all  his  characters  and  offices,  and 
draw  our  rules  of  conduct  from  his  precepts 
and  life.  Let  the  fame  mind  be  in  us  which 
was  alfo  in  him,  and  let  the  love  of  God  and 
the  Redeemer  reign  in  our  hearts. 

Thanks  to  thy  name,  that  we  have  been 
the  charge  of  thy  kind  providence  another 
day,  and  that  we  now  appear  before  Thee  in 
lo   much    health  and   comfort.     Will   Thou 


[     52     J 

dill  be  with  us  and  grant  us  thy  fmiles.  Dur- 
ing the  frlent  watches  of  this  night,  may  it 
pleafe  Thee  to  watch  over  us  for  good.  Give 
us  refreshment,  by  deep,  and  awake  us  to  the 
iight  and  duties  of  another  day.  Prepare  us 
for  the  events  and  changes  of  life,  and  help 
us  to  make  a  good  improvement  of  all  thy 
difpenfaiions. 

We  commend  to  thy  gracious  notice  all 
our  abfent  friends,  and  the  fons  and  daughters 
of  forrow  and  diflrefs.  May  the  ignorant 
receive  inftruBion,  the  vicious  be  reclaimed, 
and  the  upright  be  encouraged.  Wilt  Thou 
Succeed  and  profper  the  means  of  uieful 
knowledge  and  religious  inftruclion,  and  may 
civil  libenyand  religious  freedom  be  carried 
to  all  nations  of  the  world.  May  thy  king- 
dom come  and  thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as 
it  is  in  heaven,  and  the  glory  and  the  praife 
ihall  be  thine  forever.     Amen. 


Prayer  V, 

For  the  Morning* 

OUR  Father  who  art  in  heaven  !  Thine 
we  are  and  Thee  we  ought  to  ferve.  We  a- 
dore  and  worfhip  Thee,  the  rightful  Sove- 
reign of  the  Univerfe,  who  art  clothed  with 
honor  and  with  majefty  and  covereft  thyfelf 
with  light  as  with  a  garment.  We  revere  that 
power  by  which  the  world  was  made.  We 
admire  that  wifdom  fo  manifeft  in    the  order 


r  53  j 

of  nature,  and  in  the  courfe  of  providence. 
We  adore  and  love  that  goodnefs,  which  ex- 
tends to  all  thy  creatures,  and  fills  our  hearts 
wi<h  food  and  gladnefs.  While  the  heavens 
declare  thy  glory  and  aH  nature  proclaims  thy 
praife,  the  Gofpel  of  Chtifr.  difYdays  the  rich- 
es or  thy  grace.  We  thank  Thee  for  the 
light  of  life,  for  the  light  of  reafon,  and  for 
the  light  of  revelation.  Oh  that  we  may 
fpend  out  lives  in  thy  fear  and  fervice,  and 
walk  in  reafon's  light  and  in  the  path  of  thy 
law.  Let  thy  Spirit  and  grace  imprefs  and 
penetrate  our  hears  and  help  us,  at  all  times 
and  in  all  conditions,  to  conduct  as  feeing 
Him,  who  is  ever  about  our  path,  and  knows 
our  down  fining  and  uprifmg,  and  under- 
ftands  our  thoughts.  And  may  we  carry  a 
fcn[c  of  thy  prefenfe  and  of  our  accounta- 
blenefs  imo  all  the  labors  and  duties  of  life. 
We  thank  Thee  for  thy  protection,  care  and 
bounty  ;  for  the  bleffings  of  friendship  and 
and  fociety  ;  for  thy  word  and  ordinances  ; 
and  for  all  that  variety  of  goodnefs,  which 
renders  our  lives  [o  comfortable  and  happy. 
We  rejoice  in  the  light  of  this  morning,  to 
which  Thou  haft  fafely  brought  us.  Wilt 
Thou  accept  this  our  morning  facriftce,  and 
graat  us  thy  blefling.  May  we  repent  of  our 
fins  and  forfake  eyery  evil  and  falfe  way. 
Tnis  day  wilt  Thou  preferve  us  from  every 
evil  and  danger,  and  aflift  us  in  our  law  fid 
and  laudable  employments.     Prepare  us  tor 

E  2 


[     54     ] 

whatever  is  before  us  in  life,  and  work  in  us 
the  work  of  faith  with  power.  Help  us  to 
acknowledge  Thee  in  all  our  ways,  and  to 
work  out  our  falvation  with  fear  and  trem- 
bling. Encircle  in  the  arms  of  thy  parental 
care  our  friends  and  connexions,  and  blefs 
all  for  whom  we  ought  to  pray.  Send  com- 
fort to  the  forrowful,  relief  to  the  diftrefled, 
health  to  the  Tick,  pardon  to  the  penitent, 
and  the  Go{pel  to  all  mankind.  Hear  us  in 
heaven,  thy  dwelling  place,  and  when  Thou 
heareft,  anfwer  and  forgive,  and  the  gloiy 
and  praife  fhall  be  given  to  the  Father,  to  the 
Son  and  to  the  Holy  Gboft,  forever  and  ev- 
er. Amen. 


Prayer  VI. 

For  the  Evening. 

INFINITELY  great  and  glorious  Lord 
our  God  !  We  would  now  employ  the  nobleft 
powers  and  faculties  of  our  fouls  to  worfhip 
Thee,  the  greateft,  the  wifetl  and  the  bcft  of 
Beings.  Infpire  us,  we  befeech  Thee,  with 
a  true  fpirit  of  devotion,  and  may  we  call 
upon  thy  name  with  fincerity  and  uprightnefs 
of  heart.  As  we  now  take  it  upon  us  to  fpeak 
to  Thee  in  the  way  of  our  duty,  wilt  Thou 
manifeft  thvfelf  tous  in  the  way  of  mercy  and 
blefs  us.  Open  our  minds  to  underftand  and 
our  hearts  to  receive  the  truth,  as  it  is  in  Je- 
fus.     Hutnbla    us  under  a  fenfe  of  our  fins, 


[     55     I 

and  lead  us  to  that  repentance  which  is  unto 
life.  As  Thou  art  the  Lord  God  gracious 
and  merciful,  have  mercy  on  us  guilty  fin- 
ners.  Enable  us  to  live  in  the  character  of 
thy  children,  and  to  be  faithful  in  all  the  rela- 
tions and  duties  of  life.  May  we  be  eftab- 
lifhed  in  that  faith  which  works  by  love  and 
difpfays  itfelf  in  ways  of  obedience.  Let 
nothing  draw  us  into  fin,  nor  keep  us  from 
duty.  May  our  hearts  ever  glow  with  piety 
to  Thee,  and  in  our  intercourfe  with  the 
world  may  we  be  jufi:  and  kind,  treating  others 
as  we  could  reasonably  expeft  to  be  treated 
ourfelves.  With  regard  to  ourfelves,  may  we 
be  fober,  temperate  and  prudent.  In  our 
lawful  employments  grant  us  thy  fmiles  and 
bieffing,  and  through  the  whole  day  of  life 
wilt  Thou  guide  and  direct  us.  May  it  pl-eafe 
Thee  to  blefs  all  our  abfent  friends  and  fami- 
ly connexions,  and  all  whom  we  ought  to 
mention  in  our  addrefTes.  May  a  fpirit  of 
order,  truth  and  piety  pervade  all  ranks  of 
men  in  this  our  favored  land.  Give  wifdom 
to  our  Rulers,  energy  to  our  laws,  and  per- 
manency to  our  government.  Profper  the 
means  of  ufeful  knowledge  and  religious  in- 
ftru&ion,  and  let  wifdom,  and  knowledge  and 
virtue  be  the  liability  of  our  times.  We  now 
commend  to  thy  gracious  patronage  and  blef- 
fing  all  our  brethren  of  the  human  race. 
Caufe  the  thunders  of  war  to  ceafe,  and  let 
all   men   beco;ne   fubje&s  of    that    glorious 


[     56     ] 

kingdom,  which  confifts  in  righteoufn efs  and 
peace.  We  would  not,  heavenly  Father, 
clofe  the  devotions  of  the  evening  without 
thanking  Thee  for  thy  care  over  us  the  paft 
day,  and  imploring  thy  protection  this  night. 
Wilt  Thou  give  us  quiet  repofe  and  awake 
us  to  the  light  and  duties  of  another  day,  for 
the  Redeemer's  fake,  to  whom  with  the  Fath> 
e^and  holy  Spirit  be  praife  forever.     Amen, 

-~ — o 

Prayer  VII. 

-    for  the  Morning, 

O  THOU  God  of  the    morning   and  the 

evening,  to  whom  the  darknefs  and  the  light 
$re  both  alike.  We  now  come  before  Thee 
to  exprefs  our  firm  belief  in  Thee  and  alfo 
in  Chrift  ;  cur  gratitude  for  thy  favors;  our 
fubmiffion  to  thi  e  authority  and  allotments; 
our  lull  purpofe  of  heart  to  live  foberly, 
righteoufly  and  pioufly.  And  wilt  Thou  in* 
ch'ne  us  to  conduct  according  to  thefe  our 
refoluu'ons,  and  to  walk  in  the  path  of  thy 
Jaw.  We  defire  now  to  call  into  exercife 
the  nobleft  powers  and  bed  affections  in  wor- 
fbippmg  and  ferving  Thee,  the  greater!  and 
be  (t  of  Beings.  The  heavens  declare  thy 
g'ory,  and  the  whole  univerfe  is  open  to  thine 
infpeclion  and  fubjeft  to  thy  control.  What 
then  is  man,  that  Thou  art  mindful  of  him, 
or  the  finful  children  of  men,  that  Thou 
fhculdft  daily  vifit   them  with  thy  grace  and 


[     57     J 

favor!  Thy  loving  kindnefs  is  new  to  us  ev- 
ery morning,  and  thy  truth  and  faithfulnefs 
every  night.  May  we  carry  a  fenfe  of  thy 
providential  care  and  a&ive  goodnefs,  and  of 
our  dependence  and  obligation,  through 
all  the  labors  and  duties  of  this  and 
every  day.  In  our  common  concerns  and 
regular  bufinefs,  may  we  enjoy  thy  fmilesand 
bleffing,  and  be  fatisfied  with  thine  allotments. 
Eftablifh  thy  covenant  with  this  family  and 
may  we  belong  to  the  houfehold  of  faith.  In 
our  domeflic  relations  and  duties  may  we  be 
faithful  and  happy.  Let  this  our  dwelling 
be  the  manfion  of  peace  and  love.  We  com- 
mend to  thy  gracious  notice  all,  who  are  near 
and  dear  to  us.  We  pray  for  the  fick  and 
forrowful,  the  poor  and  needy,  the  widow  and 
fatherlefs,  the  aged  and  young.  Wilt  Thou 
accommodate  thy  mercies  to  their  various 
circumftances  and  wants.  Blefs  all  ranks  of 
men,  and  all  denominations  of  chriftians. 
Let  our  Rulers  be  wife  and  faithful,. and  citi- 
zens honeft  and  virtuous  ;  our  religious 
Teachers  fpeak  with  the  power  and  majefty 
of  divine  truth,  and  people  attend  to  the 
preached  word  with  hearing  ears  and  under- 
itanding  hearts.  May  our  national  govern- 
ment be  a  lafting  fource  of  rich  blcffings  to 
all  claffes  of  people,  and  may  we  cultivate 
that  righteoufnefs  and  thofe  virtues,  which 
exalt  and  dignify  a  national  character.  Give 
thy    fon  the  heathen   for  his  inheritage,  and 


C    58    3 

the  uttermofl  parts  of  the  earth  for  his  poffef- 
fion,  and  let  the  great  family  of  mankind 
worfhip  and  yield  fubmiffion  to  the  Prince  of 
peace. 

We  offer  this  our  morning  facrifice  in  the 
name  of  our  Mediator  and  Advocate,  through 
"whom  to  Thee  be  rendered  ceafelefs  praifes. 
Amen. 


Prayer   VIII. 

For  the  Evening. 

O  THOU,  who  art  the  God  of  our  lives 
and  Father  of  all  our  mercies  !  In  the  morn- 
ing  fhalt  Thou  hear   our  voice,  and  in   the 

evening  will  we  declare  thy  truth  and  faith- 
fulnefs.  As  Thou  art  every  where  prefent 
and  every  where  good,  Oh  that  thy  dread  may 
fall  on  us,  and  a  fenfe  of  thy  goodnefs  infpire 
us  with  hope  and  confidence  in  Thee.  Hav- 
ing obtained  help  from  Thee,  we  flil!  contin- 
ue, and  are  indu!ged  with  another  opportuni- 
ty of  family  worfhip.  For  thy  care  and  pro- 
tection, for  thy  word  and  ordinances,  and  for 
all  the  bleffings  of  the  throne  and  of  the  foot- 
ftool,  we  deure  to  return  Thee  our  finctre 
thanks.  We  now  call  to  mind  with  gratitude 
the  favors  of  the  pall  day  and  this  evening, 
and  we  befeech  Thee  to  give  thine  angels 
charge  of  us  this  night.  And  do  Thou  be 
pleafed  to  wake  us  to  the  light  and  duties  of 
the  following  day.     O  that  we  may   be  hum- 


r  59  ] 

We  and  penitent  on  account  of  our  fins,  and 
with  a  broken  and  contrite  heart  approach 
the  throne  of  grace  !  We  lament  before  Thee, 
that  we  have  made  no  better  improvement 
of  our  time  and  advantages,  and  that  we  have 
made  no  better  returns  for  thy  favors.  O 
that  our  eyes  may  be  opened,  that  we  may  fee 
the  exceeding  finfulnefs  of  fin,  and  that  we 
may  behold  the  beauties  of  holinefs.  May 
we  be  renewed  in  the  temper  and  fpirit  of  our 
minds,  and  be  inclined  to  keep  thy  law.  May 
religion,  pure  and  undefiled,  appear  impor- 
tant, and  the  Saviour  precious.  With  our 
whole  hearts  may  we  love  and  ferve  Thee. 
Guide,  we  pray  Thee,  our  future  fteps.  Guard 
us  from  the  temptations  and  fnares  of  fin. 
Satisfy  us  with  life,  and  prepare  us  for  an  ex- 
change of  worlds. 

O  Thou  Obferver  and  Preferver  of  men  ! 
Wilt  thou  grant,  that  all  thy  rational  offspring 
here  below  may  foon  enjoy  the  fweets  of  lib- 
erty, and  the  bleilings  of  the  Gofpel.  Let 
the  fun  of  righfeoufnefs  fcatter  the  clouds  of 
ignorance, error  and  fuperftition,  and  enlight- 
en the  minds  and  warm  the  hearts  of  the  whole 
family  of  man.  With  confidence  in  thy  be- 
nignity and  love,  we  implore  thy  bleiUng  on 
our  native  land,  and  on  all  our  important  in- 
terefts  and  concerns.  May  thy  protecting 
providence  guard  us  from  foreign  invafions 
and  domeftic  e* .  ils,  and  we  be  that  happy 
people,   whofe   God  is  -the  Lord.     Let  the 


[     Go     ] 

Gofpcl  have  a  commanding  influence  over 
the  temper  and  practice  of  all  ranks  of  citi- 
zens, and  wiidom  and  knowledge  be  the  fta- 
biliiy  of  our  times.  Thefe  things  we  afk  and 
offer  in  the  Mediator's  name,  to  whom  with 
the  Father  and  the  holy  Spirit  be  rendered 
unceafing  praifes.     Amen. 

Some  Occasional  Addresses, 

Which  may  be  introduced,  at  difcretion,  ints  the 

preceding  Forms  of  prayer, 

I. 

On  a  Thank/giving  Day. 
ALMIGHTY  and  everlafling  Father  !  In 
whom  power  refides,  in  whom  wifdom  dwells, 
and  from  whom  goodnefs  flows  !  Thou  open- 
eft  thine  hand  and  fatisfieth  the  defire  of  eve- 
ry living  thing.  The  whole  creation  is  thy 
charge  and  thy  tender  mercies  are  over  all 
thy  works.  We  thank  Thee  that  Thou  haft 
brought  us  to  fee  this  Anniverfary  under  cir- 
cumftances  of  fo  much  comfort  and  happinefs. 
With  gratiiude  would  we  utter  the  memory 
of  thy  goodnefs  and  fpeak  of  thy  loving  kind- 
nefs.  By  a  facred  regard  to  thy  wife  difprn- 
fations  and  by  a  courfe  of  virtue  and  piety, 
may  we  exprefs  to  Thee  our  thankful nefs  for 
our  privileges  and  bleffings,  And  let  a  fenfe 
of  thy  bounty  and  grace  to  us  infpire  us  with 
kindneik  and  charity  to  all  around. 


[     6*     ] 

II. 

Tor  Fa  ft  Day. 
O  LORD  God  gracious  and  merciful  ! 
With  reverence  and  godly  fear  would  we 
now  humble  otirfelves  before  Thee.  We 
have  finned,  what  fhall  we  anfwer,  O  Thou 
Oblerverand  Preferver  of  men  !  At  the  re- 
collection of  our  numerous  faults  and  by  the 
recommendation  of  our  civil  Fathers,  we 
now  lay  afide  the  common  labors  and  con- 
cerns of  life,  that  our  fins  may  be  fet  in  order 
before  us,  and  that  we  may  take  to  ourfelves 
the  words  and  feelings  of  penitence  and  fly 
to  Thee,  with  whom  there  is  forgivenefs  and 
plenteous  redemption.  Help  us  to  keep 
fuch  a  Faft  as  Thou  haft  chofen,  and  may  we 
offer  Thee  the  facrifice  of  broken  and  contrite 
hearts.  We  pray  God  to  fmile  on  and  pro- 
tect the  liberties  and  important  interefts  of 
our  country,  and  to  order  the  feafons  of  the 
year  favorably.  May  Schools  and  Acade- 
mies, Colleges  and  Univerfiiies  flourifh  un- 
der thy  gracious  patronage,  that  wildom  and 
knowledge  may  be  the  liability  of  our  times. 

6 

III. 
In  a  Time  of  Siclncfs. 
THOU,  O  Lord,  art  the  great  Phyfician 
of  foul  and  body.  Thou  healeft  oik  difeaf- 
es,  redeemed  our  lives  from  j^efttuclion,  and 
crowneft  us  with  loving  kind-nefs  and  tender 
mercy.     Our  help  is  in  Thee.     Reflrain3we 


[     6*     3 

befeech  Thee,  the  progrefs  of  the  malady, 
which  prevails  among  us,  and  let  the  lives 
and  health  of  thy  people  be  precious  in  thy 
fight 

o 

IV. 
In  Time  of  Drought. 
O  THOU  Father  of  the  rain,  who  beget- 
te-ft  the  drops  of  the  dew,  be  pleafed  to  vifit 
and  water  thy  weary  heritage.  Caufe  the 
grafs  to  grow  for  cattle  and  the  various  fruits 
for  the  fervice  of  man,  and  crown  the  year 
with  thy  goodnefs. 

_ o 

V. 
For  the  Prefzdent  of  the  United  States  and  all  in 
our  national  Adminiflration. 
WILT  Thou,  who  ruled  and  reigneft  over 
all,  take  into  thy  holy  keeping  thine  il!u(iri- 
ous  Servant,  the  Prejident  of  the  United 
States.  May  his  important  life  be  precious 
in  thy  fight,  and  be  fpent  in  the  fervice  of 
his  country.  O  that  he  may  be  an  extenfive 
bleffing  to  our  land.  And  may  all,  who  take 
an  active  part  in  the  adminiltration  of  our 
national  government,  be  guided  by  the  beft 
principles  and  moti.es,  and  be  led  by  wifdom 
into  thofe  tneafures,  which  may  do  honor  to 
themfelves,  and  promote  the  profperity  of 
their  country.  And  let  thy  providence  be 
as  a  wall  of  (ire  round  about  us,  and  the  Gof- 
pel  of  Chrift  a  glory  in  the  mid  ft  of  us. 


C    63    I 

VI. 

For  the  Blcjfings  of  Liberty  through  the  world. 
O  THOU  univerfal  Parent  !  Let  the 
branches  of  the  tree  of  liberty  extend  from 
fhore  to  fhore,  and  from  the  river  to  the 
ends  of  the  earth,  that  all  nations  may  tafte 
and  enjoy  its  fruits. 

o ■ 

VII. 
For  our  State  Government, 
BLESS  our  Governor,  and  grant  him  wif- 
dom  to  direft  our  public  affairs  with  a  fkilful 
hand  and  an  upright  heart.  And  may  ail  in 
fubordinate  ftations  of  important  truft,  be 
wife  men,  ruling  and  walking  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord.  Let  Officers  of  State  and  Minis- 
ters of  the  Gofpel  be  alike  patrons  of  liber- 
ty, learning  and  religion,  and  be  eminently 
the  Mrnifters  of  God  for  good  to  the  people. 


PART    V. 
On  CIVIL  GOVERNMENT, 

AND 

The   Duties   05   Citizens. 

BY 

Qaeftion  and  Anfwer* 


"  Tis  Education  forms  the  tender  mind  j 
"  [uft  as  the  twig  is  bent,  the  tret's  inclin'd. 


A  certain  per  fan  pr  <nofed  to  Agefilaus,  a  Spartan  king,  thi<  ques- 
tion :  U  -ivAct  ought  Youth  to  be  principally,  inflruftcxl.  ?  AgeSlauS 
wifely  anfwered,  That  which  they  will  have  na oft  need  to//a<-- 
tife,  when  th«y  are  men. 


1.  Oueftion.   rr  HAT  is  Civil  Government  P 

Anfwer.  Civil  Government  is  an  eftablifh- 
ment  of  legal  authority  and  the  adminiflra- 
tion  of  public  affairs,  according  to  original 
articles  of  mutual  agreement,  which  teach 
rulers  how  to  govern  and  fubjecls  how  to- 
obey. 

2.   Q.     Are  all  men  horn  free  and  equal  ? 
A.     Though  men  pofTefs  a  diverfity  of  tal- 
ents   and  advantages,   they  are  born  equally 
free  with  regard  to  rights^  obligations  and  du- 
ties. 


[     65     ] 

3'.   Q.     What  is  the  end  of  Civil  Government  ? 

A.  ^Civil  Government  is  defigned  to  pro- 
tect and  encourage  men  in  their  honeft  and 
laudable  purfuits ;  to  promote  a  fair  and  ufe- 
ful  intercourfe  wiih  each  other,  and  to  (ecure 
the  fafe  enjoyment  of  their  lives,  liberties 
and  property. 

4.  Q.  What  kinds  of  Government  are  there 
in  the  world  ? 

A.  There  are  three  general  forms,  which 
are,  however,  differently  modified. 

5.  Q.     What  are  they  called  ? 

A.  Monarchy <>  where  the  fovereign  power 
is  lodged  in  one  per f on ;  Arifiocracy,  where  the 
fupreme  power  is  holden  by  a.  few  individuals  ; 
and  Democracy,  where  the  fupreme  power  re- 
mains in  the  people. 

6.  Q.  Is  there  any  other  governmental  dif 
tintlion  ufually  made  ? 

A.  Government  is  farther  diftinguifhed 
into  free  and  arbitrary. 

7.  O.  May  not  this  diflinBion  fo  far  he  loft, 
that  governments   denominated  free  may  exercife 

ARBITRARY  pOWer   ? 

A.  When  a  people,  or  their  conftituted 
agents,  under  a  free  government,  are  guided 
by  their  paflions  and  prejudices,  inftead  of 
conftitutional  principles  and  the  fpirit  of  the 
laws  ;  when  they  wantonly  and  materially 
change  the  inftruments  and  meafures  of  right- 
ful adminiftration,  the  government  becomes 
uo (table  and  arbitrary. 
12 


C     66     ] 

8.  Q.  Is  the  Government  of  the  United  States 
in  any  danger  from  f itch  afource  ? 

A.  The  love  of  liberty  is  fo  interwoven 
with  the  ligaments  of  our  hearts  and  we 
breathe  fo  much  of  the  fpirit  of  our  fathers, 
that  if  we  be  as  jealous  of  our  paflions  and 
vices,  as  we  are  of  our  Rulers  and  laws,  the 
grand  palladium  of  American  liberty  will  be 
happily  preferved.  "  The  Jons  of  Columbia 
will  never  be  f laves."  * 

9.  Q.     What  is  a  Republic  ? 

A.  A  Republic  is  a  regular  and  organized 
Democracy,  where  the  people  inveft  whom 
they  pleafe,  with  Legiflative,  Executive  and 
Judicial  authority,  and  referve  a  right  to  call 
them  to  an  account. 

10.  Q.  What  then  is  the  difftrence  between  a 
Democracy  and  a  Republic. 

A.  A  Democracy  fuppofes  that  the  fupreme 
power  refides  in  the  people  ;  but  a  Republic 
fuppofes  the  fupreme  power  to  be,  for  a  time, 
delegated  to  particular  perfons. 

1 1.  Q.  Can  you  name  fome  of  the  principal 
advantages  of  a  Republican  Government  ? 

A.  In  a  Republican  Government,  elec- 
tions are  free  and  frequent;  the  doors  of 
preferment  are  open  to  the  moft  regular  and 
deferving  Citizens  y  and,  if  the  people  duly 
exercife  their  rights,  the  wifdom  of  the  Com- 
munity may  be  collected  and  applied  to  the 
beft  purpofes. 


C     «7     ] 

12.  Q.  Does  the  Go/pel  encourage  and  pat- 
ronize civil  Government  ? 

A.  Such  was  the  ftate  of  the  Jews  in  our 
Saviour's  time,  that  He  did  not  fay  much  a- 
bout  patriotifm,  or  the  love  of  our  country. 

18*  Q*  What  was  our  Saviour  s  conduct  with 
regard  to  the  rulers  and  laws  of  His  country  ? 

A.  He  paid  refped  and  yielded  obedi- 
ence to  both. 

M-  Q-  What  was  His  probable  meanings 
when  he  /aid,  "  Render  to  Csefar  the  things9 
which  are  Csefar's,  and  to  God  the  things, 
which  are  God's."? 

A.  He  meant,  no  doubt,  that  men  mould 
be  ready  to  fupport  civil  fociety  and  main- 
tain religion, 

15.  Q.  Why  did  Chrifl  adopt  an  uncommon 
method,  to  pay  Peter  s  tribute,  or  taxes,  and  His 
own, 

A.  This  method  was  taken  to  fhew,  in  a- 
ftriking  manner,  His  readinefs  to  fubmk  to 
lawful  authority. 

16.  Q.  And  what  is  faid  of  civil  Government 
by  Chrifts  Apojiles  ? 

A.  They  exhort  men  to  be  fubjecl:  unto 
higher  powers,  and  to"  give  tribute  and  honor 
to  whom  tribute  and  honor  are  due  ;  and 
they  enjoin  us  to  fubmit  to  every  regular  or- 
dinance of  man  for  the  Lord's  fake. 

17.  Q.  What  are  the  reafons  and  grounds  for 
maintaining  focial  order  and  civil  fociety  ? 


r  €6  ] 

A.     The  focial  nature  of  man  and  the  re 
vealed  will  of  God. 

18.  Q.  How  does  it  appear •,  that  civil  fociety^ 
in  its  improved  Jlate?  is  agreeable  to  the  nature  of 
man  and  to  the  -will  of  God  ? 

A.  Civil  fociety  gives  a  more  liberal  play 
to  our  focial  affections,  which  God  requires 
us  to  exercife,  and  which  conduce  to  enjoy- 
ment and  ufefulnefs  ;  and,  as  civil  fociety 
improves,  human  happinefs  always  increafes. 

1 9.  O.  What,  then,  will  be  the  flak  of  the 
world*,  when  civil  fociety  JJiall  be  carried  to  the 
great  efl  poffible  perfection  ? 

A.  Then  civil  Government  will  be  found- 
ed upon  christian  principles;  mankind  will 
difplay  the  true  fpirit  of  the  Gofpel,  and  uni- 
verfal  peace  and  happinefs  will  reign  tri- 
umphant. 

20.  Q.     What  is  civil  liberty  ? 

A.  Civil  liberty  is  the  light  or  power, 
which  each  citizen  derives  from  the  commu- 
nity, to  regulate  his  own  con  duel  in  all  civil 
matters.. 

21.  Q.      What  is  political  liberty  ? 

A.  Political  liberty  is  the  legal  right, 
which  citizens  enjoy  by  common  confent,to 
manage  the  affairs  of  the  community  to 
which  they  belong. 

22.O.  In  what  ways  may  political  liberty  be 
ah  i fed  ? 

A.  By  neglecting  matters  of  common 
concern,  by  an  heedlefs  election  of  unquali- 


r  %  3 

6ed  perfons  into  public  offices,  and  by  wan- 
tonly attempting  to  exercife  powers  already* 
delegated  to  others. 

23.   Q.     'What  is  religious  liberty  ? 

A.  It  is  a  liberty  to  worfhip  and  ferve 
God  according  to  the  dictates  of  a  clear  con- 
science, and  to  perform  chriftian  duties  with- 
out moleftation* 

24*   Q»     And  what  is  moral  liberty  ? 

A.  Moral  liberty,  for  which  we  are  more 
efpecially  indebted  to  our  Maker,  is  a  liberty 
of  a6Hng  well  or  ill,  wifely  orfoolifhly. 

2 5-  Q-  Where  are  thefe  kinds  of  liberty  the 
mofi  fully  enjoyed  ? 

A.  Every  man  in  every  nation  enjoys 
moral  liberty  ;  the  other  kinds  are,  at  pre- 
fent,  the  rnofl  fully  enjoyed  in  the  United 
States  of  America. 

26.  Q;  And  by  ivhat  means  may  thefe  liberties 
be  preferved  ? 

A,  We  may  preferve  thefe  liberties,  by 
ftudying  the  things,  which  make  for  peace  ; 
by  carefully  exercifing  our  civil  rights  ;  and 
by  bringing  into  practice  the  principles  of 
our  hoiy  religion. 

27.  Q.  Favored  with  fitch  an  excellent  Gov- 
ernment and  with  fitch  ennobling  liberties^  what  is^ 
our  duty  ? 

A,  It  is  our  duty  to  acl  the  part  of  hon- 
eft  men,  good  citizens,  and  real  chriftiansj 
that  we  may  become  inhabitants  of  the  new 
Jerufalem, 


I     7°    J 

Apart  of  Dean  Swift's  SERMON  onjleep* 
ing  at  Church,  with  fome  alterations* 


Acts   xx.   9. 

u  And  there  fat  in  a  xvindow  a  certain  young  man, 
named  Futjchus,  being  fallen  into  a  deep  Jleep  ; 
and  while  Paul  was  long  preaching  he  funk 
down  with  fleep,  and  fell  down  from  the  third 
loft,  and  was  taken  up  dead" 

I  HAVE  chofen  thefe  words  with  defign,  if 
poffible,  to  difturb  fame  in  this  alTembly 
of  half  an  hour's  fleep,  for  which  places  of 
public  worfhip  are,  at  the  prefent  day,  very 
much  celebrated.  It  fo  happens,  that  thofe, 
who  by  the  wickednefs  of  their  livesr^and 
in  the  greateft  need  of  inftru&ion,  have  ufu- 
ally  the  fmalleft  ftiare.  For  they  are  either 
abfent  on  account  of  idlenefs,  or  diflike  to 
religion,  or  with  a  view  to  doze  away  the  in- 
temperance of  the  week  ;  or  elfe,  if  they 
come,  they  employ  their  minds  upon  fubjects 
quite  foreign  to  the  bufinefs  of  the  place. 

The  accident,  which  happened  to  the  young 
man  in  our  text,  has  not  been  fufficient  to 
difcourage  his  fucceffors.  Hat,  unwilling  to 
rifk  the  confequences  of  a  fall,  they  choofc 
fome  fafer  place.  For,  though  fome  preach- 
&r.s  may  exceed  St.  Paul  in  the  art  of  fetiing 


t  71  ] 

men  to  fieep,  they  cannot,  like  him,  work  mir- 
acle* to  wake  them  up  again.  Of  courfe, 
modern  fleepers  take  the  mod  fafe  and  con- 
venient ftations  and  poftures  for  their  repofe. 
They  are  willing  to  venture  the  confequen- 
ces  of  fleeping  at  church  during  the  exercife, 
but  are  loath  to  run  the  hazard  of  a  fall. 
However,  as  this  is  not  the  only  way  in  which 
men  difcover  their  neglect  of  preaching,  I 
fhall  enlarge  on  the  fuhjeft,  and  order  my 
dilcourfe  in  the  following  method. 

I.  I  fhall  produce  feveral  inftances  to 
fhew  the  great  neglect  of  preaching. 

II.  I  fhall  reckon  up  fome  of  the  objec- 
tions and  prejudices,  which  men  have  again  ft 
preaching. 

III.  I  fhall  fet  forth  the  great  evils  of  this 
neglect  of  the  preached  word,  and  difcover 
the  real  Caufes  of  it. 

IV.  I  fhall  propofe  fome  remedies  againft 
thefe  great  and  fpreading  evils. 

I.  I  fhall  produce  feveral  inftances  to 
fhew  the  great  neglect  of  preaching. 

Thefe  may  be  reckoned  under  two  heads. 
Firft,  men's  abfence  from  the  fanBuary  ;  and, 
fecondly,  their  mifbehaviour  when  they  are 
there. 

The  firft  inftance  of  men's  neglect  is  their 
frequent  abfence  from  the  place  of  worfhip. 
The  confeience*  of  many  men  have  by  fome 
.means  become  extremely  pliant  and  fubmij- 
five   to   their    owners.     They    appear  to  be 


r  7»  3 

iveary  of  preffing  home  \ht\r  counfelsand  admo- 
nitions, and  determined  to  make  no  farther  dif* 
turbance.  Accordingly  any  thing,  however 
trivial,  will  be  fufficient  to  excufe  frequent 
abfence  from  public  worfhip.  Some  men  are 
fo  unfortunate  as  to  be  always  indifpofed  on 
the  Lord's  day,  and  think  nothing  more  un- 
vholefome  than  the  air  of  a  church.  Oth- 
ers have  their  affairs  io  oddly  contrived,  as 
to  be  unluckily  prevented  by  trufinefs.  Some 
difcover  ftrange  fits  of  lazinefs,  which  feize 
them  at  the  clofe  of  the  week,  and  are  cer- 
tain to  confine  them  at  home  on  the  fabbath. 
Others,  again,  are  abfent  out  of  contempt  to 
religion.  And,  laftly,  there  are  not  a  few, 
who,  calling  the  fabbath  a  day  of  reft,  claim 
the  privilege  of  their  cuftle,  and  fpend  the 
day  in  eating,  drinking  and  fleeping.  Now, 
in  all  this,  the  worft  circumftance  is,  that  thefe 
very  perfons  (land  in  the  greateft  need  of 
help.  Thefe  various  disorders  call  loudly 
for  a  phyfician. 

Secondly,  Men's  neglect  of  preaching  ap- 
pears in  their  mifbehavior  when  thev  attend 
public  worfhip.  Were  the  whole  aiTembly 
to  be  divided  into  different  clatTes,  according 
to  their  deportment,  how  fmall  would  be  the 
number  of  thofe,  who  receive  the  word  as 
they  ought  !  What  a  large  proportion  of  the 
feed,  then  fown,  would  appear  to  have  fallen 
by  the  way  fide,  upon  flony  ground,  or  a- 
mong  thorns  !   How  fmall   a  portion  of  good 


r  73  j 

ground  there  would  be  to  receive  it  !  Of  all 
mifbebavior  in  the  houfe  of  God,  none  ap- 
pears greater,  than  that  of  thofe,  who  fleep 
away  their  time.  Opium  is  not  more  ftupi- 
fying  to  many  perfons,  than  an  afternoon  fer- 
raon.  The  words  of  any  preacher  become 
a  fort  of  uniform  found  at  a  diftance,  which 
always  lulls  the  fenfes.  And  when  the  found 
ceafes,  they  awake  from  their  flumbers,  call 
their  fenfes  together,  and  are  ready,  with 
much  devotion,  to  receive  the  bleffing. 
I  proceed, 

II.  To  reckon  up  fome  of  the  ufual  pre- 
judices and  objections  which  men  have  a- 
gainft  preaching,  and  to  (hew  the  unreafona- 
blenefs  of  them. 

.The  indecent  conducl  of  many,  while- in 
folemn  aflembly  and  while  their  duty  is  ex- 
plained to  the  audience  for  the  benefit  of  all, 
obliges  them  to  fearch  for  excufes  to  exten- 
uate their  fault.  And  without  long  trying  the 
ftrength  of  their  inventive  faculties,  they  are 
difpofed  to  fhift  the  blame  upon  the  particu- 
lar preacher,  or  upon  preaching  in  general. 

Fir  ft.  They  object  againft  the  preacher. 
His  manner,  his  delivery,  his  voice,  is  difa- 
greeable.  His  ftyle  and  expreffions  are  much 
too  flat  and  low,  or  much  too  high  and  bom- 
baftic.  His  matter  is  heavy  or  trivial  ;  or  on 
the  other  fide,  he  runs  up  into  unintelligible 
fpeculaiions,  empty  notions,  and  giddy 
flights. 


[     74     3 

Secondly,  They  objeQ  againft  preaching 
in  general.  It  is  a  perfect  road  of  talk.  They 
already  know  whatever  can  be  faid,  and  have 
heard  it  an  hundred  times  over.  They  com- 
plain, that  preachers  do  not  enliven  fuch  an 
old  beaten  fubject  with  wit  and  invention. 
Thefe  and  the  like  objections  are  frequently 
in  the  mouths  of  thofe  men,  who  neglect  the 
preached  word.  But  let  us  inquire  whether 
thefe  objections  be  reafonable. 

The  doctrine  delivered  by  preachers  may 
be  nearly  the  fame.  So  we  preach,  and  Jo  you 
believe.  But  the  manner  of  writing  and  de- 
livering is  according  to  the  abilities  and  (kill 
of  preachers,  who  differ  from  one  another  in 
thefe  refpecls,  as  much  as  any  other  clafs  of 
men.  But,  however,  in  perfonal  diilikes,are 
thefe  men  certain  that  they  are  always  right  ? 
Do  they  duly  confider  that  every  public  af- 
fembly  is  made  up  of  various  characters* 
whofe  tafte  and  judgment  differ  ?  Do  they 
confider,  that  they  not  only  differ  from  oth- 
ers, but  from  themfelves  at  different  times  ? 
For  thefe  reafons,  to  calculate  a  difcourfe 
that  mall  exactly  fuit  them  all,  is  beyond  the 
reach  of  human  reafon,  knowledge  and  in- 
vention. Befides,  if  preaching  in.  general  be 
old  and  beaten,  and  they  be  well  acquainted 
with  it,  the  more  fhame  and  guilt  fall  to  them, 
who  have  derived  fo  little  benefit  from  it. 
And  what  could  thefe  perfons  fay  in  their 
defence,    fliould  we  turn  the  objection  upon 


C     75     ] 

themfelves  ?  With  all  their,  liberty  of  dif- 
courfe  on  various  fubje6is,  they  are  To  dull 
and  deftitute  of  invention,  as  to  furnifh  noth- 
ing but  tedious  repetitions,  and  little  paltry 
common  place  obfervations.  And  thefe  are 
fo  vulgar,  obvious  and  worn  out,  that  were 
they  advanced  in  fupport  of  any  good  caufe, 
they  would  be  hooted  off  the  ftage. 

Nor,  laftly,  are  preachers  juftly  blamed  for 
neglecling  the  airs  and  flourifhes  of  theatrical 
performers.  It  is  not  the  bufinefs  of  a  Chrif- 
tian  Orator  fo  much  to  move  the  pajfions  dti 
his  hearers,  as  to  enlighten  and  convince  their 
under /landings,  not  fo  much  to  entertain  as  to 
perfuade  them.  St.  Paul  came  not  with  excellen- 
cy of  words,  or  enticing  J pee ch  of  mens  wifdom, 
but  in  plain  evidence  of  the  fpirit.  And,  per- 
haps, it  was  for  that  reafon,  the  young  man, 
Euiychus,  accuflorned  to  Grecian  eloquence^ 
grew  tired  and  fell  fo  faft  afleep. 
I  go  on, 

III.  To  let  forth  the  great  evil?,  which 
attend  fuch  neglecl  of  preaching,  and  todif- 
cover  its  real  caufes. 

It  is  obvious,  that  this  neglecrof  preaching 
has  occafioned  the  decay  of  religion  among 
us.  What  a  diverlity  of  fentiments  obtains 
at  the  prefent  day  ?  What  a  multitude  of  fec- 
taries  (land  forth,  and  fome  with  impudence, 
and  others  with  abundant  weaknefs,  endeav* 
or  to  vindicate  their  refpeclive  tenets  ?  And 
how    many  are  there,    who,  having  no  other 


C    76   } 

ground  of  hope,  try  to  perfuade  themfelves 
and  others  (an  herculean  tafk)  that  all  are  fafe 
and  that  the  kingdom  of  God,  like  Peter's 
net,  will  take  in  good  and  bad  ?  But  the  va- 
rious and  promifcuous  multitude,  which  Pe- 
ter faw,  were  exhibited  to  teach  him,  that 
the  offers  of  falvation  would  be  made  to  all 
nations  and  defer  iptions  of  men.  This  mani- 
fold exhibition  was  not  defigned  to  point  out 
the  future  condition  of  all  characters,  but  to 
denote  the  charter  of  privileges  fecurcd  by 
Chrift  to  all  the  human  race.  Some  perfons, 
however,  fo  twift  and  diftort  the  fcriptures, 
as  to  prefs  them  into  the  fervice  of  fin  and  fa- 
tan.  Such  men,  by  indulging  falfe  fentiments, 
may  foon  forget  that  they  are  falfe,  and  at 
length  they  may  conclude,  that  the  Almighty 
is  determined  to  ranfack  the  dark  regions  of 
impenitence  and  even  the  infernal  abodes, 
till  every  created  being,  whether  man,  brute, 
or  devil,  is  brought  within  the  confines  of 
paradife.  Such  wild  notions  may  be  gener- 
ally owing  to  men's  ignorance,  ignorance  to 
the  neglect  of  preaching,  and  the  neglect  of 
preaching  to  a  corrupt  heart;  and,  though 
they  attribute  this  corruption  of  heart  to  fa- 
tanic  influence,  the  guilt  and  pains  are  charg- 
ed to  them,  and  they  will  be  brought  to  an 
account. 

Again.  This  great  negleft  of  preaching 
opens  a  way  to  all  manner  of  vice.  For,  h\ 
vain    we  preach  down   fin  to   people,  zvhife 


C     77     J 

hearts  are.  waxed  grofs,  whofe  ears  are  dull  of  "hear- 
ing, whofe  eyes  are  clofed.  Gf  all  kinds  of  ne- 
glc6l  of  God's  preached  word,  fleeping  in  the 
houfe  of  public  worfiiip  denotes  the  greateft:. 
It  is  like  fleeping  upon  the  brink  of  a  preci- 
pice, where  the  leafl:  blaft  might  prove  fatal. 
A  fcorner  may  liften  to  reafon  and  become 
ferious ;  an  unbeliever  may  feel  the  pangs  of 
a  guilty  confcience,  and  become  a  convert ; 
one,  whofe  eyes  are  rolling  from  obje6l  to 
object,  may  by  a  lucky  word  be  called  to  at- 
tention ;  but  a  deeper  fhuts  up  all  the  aven- 
ues to  the  foul.  He  rs  like  the  adder,  that 
hearkeneth  not  to  the  voice  of  the  charmer,  charm 
he  ever  fo  wifely.  And  we  may  preach  with  as 
good  fuccefs  to  the  congregation  of  the  dead. 

But  the  great  evils  of  fuch  neglecl  will 
more  fully  appear,  if  we  confider  the  caufes 
from  which  it  proceeds. 

The  firfi:  of  thefe  caufes  is  an  evil  con- 
fcience.  Many  men  come  to  the  fanctuary 
to  fave,  or  gain  a  reputation.  Or  they  come 
for  the  fake  of  complying  with  an  eflablifhed 
euttom.  But  all  this  time,  they  are  loaded  with 
the  guilt  of  deep  rooted  fins.  Theyexpeft  to 
hear  nothing  from  the  pulpit,  but  terrors  and 
threatenings,  their  fins  painted  in  their  true 
colours,  and  that  eternal  mifery,  if  they  re- 
main impenitent,  muft  be  their  portion.  To 
prevent  the  alarms  of  fuch  a  jolt  defcription, 
they  flop  their  ears  and* divert  their  thoughts* 
and  leek  any  amufement,  rather  than  to 
c  2 


C    78   1 

meditate  on  their  own  frightful  condi- 
tion. 

Another  caufe  of  this  neglect  is  a  heart  fet 
upon  worldly  things.  Men,  whofe  minds  are 
much  enflaved  to  wordly  affairs  through  the 
week,  cannot  difengage  or  break  the  chain  of 
their  thoughts  fo  fuddenly,  as  to  apply  to  a 
difcourfe,  which  is  wholly  foreign  to  what  they 
have  mod  at  heart.  Tell  an  ufurer  of  chari- 
ty and  mercy  and  reftitution,  and  you  talk  to 
the  deaf;  his  heart  and  foul,  with  all  his  fen- 
fes,  are  among  his  bags,  or  he  is  gravely  afleep 
and  dreaming  of  a  mortgage.  Tell  a  man  of 
bufinefs,  that  the  cares  of  the  world  are  apt 
to  choak  the  good  feed  ;  that  we  fhould  not 
incumber  ourfelves  with  much  ferving  ;  and 
that  the  falvation  of  the  foul  is  the  one  thing 
needful.  You  fee,  it  is  true,  the  fhape  of  a 
man  before  you,  but  his  faculties  are  gone  off 
among  his  papers  of  account  and  plans  of 
profit.  He  is  thinking  how  to  fupport  a  bad 
caufe,  or  pick  flaws  in  a  good  one  ;  or  cife 
he  wears  out  the  time  in  drowfy  nods. 

A  third  caufe  of  the  great  neglecl  ofpreach- 
ing  arifes  from  the  practice  of  fome  men,  who 
endeavor  to  wound  and  deftroy  religion. 
Being  ftrangers  to  the  virtues,  which  it  incul- 
cates, they  know  nothing  of  its  plea fu res,  and 
therefore  wifh  to  effect  its  overthrow.  And 
-*hefe  but  too  well  fucceed.  For  they  always 
have  at  hand  a  volley  of  buffoonery,  which 
they  fire  off  on  all  occafions  3  and,  as  their 


L     79     J 

pieces   will    not    allow  them  to  make  a  long 
(hot,  they  fire  the  oftener  at  fmaller  diftances. 

IV.  Let  me  now,  in  the  laft  place,  briefly  of- 
fer fome  remedies  againft  thefe  palpable  evils. 

One  remedy  againfl  the  neglect  of  preach- 
ing is  rightly  to  confider  the  end  for  which  it 
was  defigned.  Thofe  who  attend  public  wor- 
fhip  meiely  to  be  entertained  ate  often  difap- 
pointed.  Our  bufinefs  at  church  is  quite  an- 
other thing.  We  fhould  go  either  to  learn 
or  be  reminded  of  our  duty  to  God,  to  our- 
felves  or  to  each  other  ;  to  apply  the  doc- 
trines delivered,  compare  the  rules  we  hear 
with  our  lives  and  actions,  and  find  wherein 
we  have  tranfgre fifed.  Thefe  are  the  dii  por- 
tions, which  men  fhould  bring  with  them  in- 
to the  houfe  of  God.  And,  if  they  attend 
with  fuch  views,  they  do  not  wifh  the  preach- 
er to  difplay  great  wit  and  eloquence,  but  to 
exhibit  the  truth  in  all  its  fimple  majefly. 
They  do  not  employ  their  ingenuity  to  find 
out  his  infirmities  and  faults,  but  aim  to  cor- 
rect their  own. 

Laftly,  The  fcorners  of  preaching  would  do 
well  to  confider,  that  their  talent  at  ridicule 
is  very  eafily  acquired  and  applied  to  any  oth- 
er fubject.  Religion  is  no  lefs  excellent,  be- 
caufe  it  is  capable  of  being  perverted  to  bur- 
lefque.  The  mod  celebrated  pieces  have 
been  treated  in  the  fame  manner  with  fome 
iuccefs.  It  is  in  any  man's  power  to  fuppofe 
a  fool's  cap  upon  the  wifefi  head,  and  then 
laugh  at  his  own  fuppofnion, 


I  80  ] 

To  conclude.  Thefe  confederations  may 
have  fome  effeft  while  men  are  awake  ;  but 
what  arguments  (hall  we  ufe  to  the  Deeper  ? 
What  methods  fhall  we  take  to  hold  open  his 
eyes  ?  Thofe,  who  indulge  fuch  drowfy  pow- 
ers, can  liften  for  hours  to  hear  idle  talkers 
revile  religion,  but  are  unwilling  to  watch 
half  an  hour,  to  hear  it  defended.  Is  this 
the  part  of  a  good  judge,  to  liften  on  one  fide 
of  the  caufe,  and  deep  on  the  other  ?  He 
that  hath  ears  to  hear,  let  him  hear,  and  God 
give  us  all  grace  to  hear  and  receive  his  ho- 
ly word  to  the  falvation  of  our  fouls. 

AMEN, 

The  LORD'S   PRAYER,  Paraphrased. 

AS  a  legacy  of  regard  and  affection  to  a 
fmful  world,  our  bleffed  Saviour  left  a 
fummary  of  his  religion  to  guide  our  faith  and 
to  influence  our  pra&ice.  That  form  of  de- 
votion, which  He  prefcribed  to  us,  and  which 
is  called  1  he  Lord's  Prayer,  teaches  us  to  cul- 
tivate the  difpofitions  of  reverence  and  fub- 
miffion,  mutual  forgivehefs,  extenfrve  benev- 
olence and  unfeigned  piety.  It  clearly  de- 
notes the  importance  of  fi-ncerity  and  devo- 
tion in  our  religious  addreffes,  and  the  necef- 
fity  of  conforming  in  heart  and  life  to  this 
excellent  form  of  fupplication.  It  is  plain 
and  rational,  concife  and  devout.     Had  the 


[     8i     J 

name  of  the  real  Author  been  concealed  from 
the  world,  every  observing  and  good  man 
would  be  likely  to  difcern  and  admire  the 
burfting  vein  of  piety,  which  runs  through 
the  whole  of  it.  This  may  more  fully  appear, 
if  we  now  confider  and  explain  the  feveral 
pafTages  and  petitions,  which  it  contains. 
And  it  becomes  us  all  to  come  before  the 
Lord  with  a  filial  temper  and  fay  in  the  words 
of  our  Saviour, 

"  Our  Father*  who  art  in  Heaven'* 

By  this  mode  of  expreffion,  we  acknowl- 
edge God  to  be  the  author  of  our  lives,  our 
hopes  and  our  happinefs.  We  confider  our- 
felves  as  the  creatures  of  his  power,  the  pen- 
fioners  of  his  bounty  and  the  fubjecls  of  his 
government. 

And  when  wecherifh  thefe  pious  fentiments 
and  pay  homage  to  our  Father  in  Heaven, 
with  proper  temper  and  difpofhion,  it  is  our 
heart's  defire  and  our  earneft  prayer,  that 
His  great  name  may  be  revered  and  magnifi- 
ed by  all  intelligent  creatures,  and  that  all 
may  join  us  in  offering  incenfe  to  God,  holy 
and  acceptable.  Our  minds  dwell  on  the 
next  expreffion  of  reverence  and  adoration, 
"  Hallowed  be  thy  name." 

And  that  all  may  unite  in  the  fincere  and 
devout  worfhip  of  God,  whofe  name  is  fan8i- 
fled  by  them  who  come  nigh  Him,  we  are  de- 
firous  to  fee  God's  moral  kingdom  erected 
upon  the  ruins  of  fatan's  empire,  and  to  have 


[       »2        ] 

all  become  the  willing  and  obedient  fubjecTs 
of  the  Prince  of  peace.  We  devoutly  wifh, 
that  all  hearts  may  yield  to  the  power  and 
energies  of  divine  truth.  And  in  this  lan- 
guage of  piety,  we  pray  to  the  Parent  and 
Lord  of  all, 

"  Thy  kingdom  come." 

And  while  we  cultivate  fubmiflion  to  God 
and  commit  all  we  have  and  wifh  for  to  his 
care  and  keeping,  it  mould  be  our  earneft  de- 
fire,  that  a  fpirit  of  religion  may  pervade  all 
ranks  of  men  and  all  nations  of  the  earth, 
and  that  all  mankind  may  become  fubjecT  to 
the  glorious  empire  of  reafon  and  religion. 
The  language  of  our  hearts  fhould  be, 

"  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  Heaven" 
May  thy  will  be  the  law  and  thy  good  pleaf- 
ure  the  delight  of  man. 

Thofe,  who  thus  pour  out  their  hearts  be- 
fore our  Father  in  Heaven,  reverence  his 
great  name,  and  cordially  defire  that  his  juft 
dominion  may  be  acknowledged  in  every 
land  and  by  every  tongue,  do  not  indulge  a- 
ny  anxious  folicitude  about  the  things  of  this 
life  ;  but,  in  the  diligent  ufe  of  the  appointed 
means  of  fupport  and  comfort,  they  commit 
all  to  Him,  whole  eye  furveys,  and  whole 
goodnefs  feeds  his  creatures;  and  they  are 
ready  to  join  in  the  next  petition, 

"  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread"  Grant 
us  the  fruits  of  honeft  induftry,  and  give  us 
as  many  of  the  good  things  of  life  as  are  belt 


[     «3     J 

for  us  ;  efpecially,  afford  us  a  fupply  of  that 
bread,  which  came  down  from  Heaven,  and 
the  guidance  of  that  fpirit,  which  comforts 
and  animates. 

Confcious  of  our  unworthinefs  and  fin,  we 
ought  to  humble  ourfelves  before  God,  and 
implore  his  pardoning  mercy.  And  if  we 
cultivate  the  feelings  of  penitence  on  account 
of  our  tranfgreffions,  and  afk  forgivenefs,  we 
are  willing  on  reafonable  terms  to  forgive 
thofe  who  offend  us.  We  are  ready  to  fhew 
to  others  that  mercy,  which  we  ourfelves  pray 
for  and  reallv  need.  And,  having  on  eafy 
conditions  buried  our  refentmcnts  and  cul- 
tivated a  mild  and  forgiving  temper,  we  may 
with  confidence  adopt  the  language,  which 
our  Saviour  recommends, 

"  Forgive  as  our  debts  as  we  forgive  our  debtors." 
As  we  forgive  may  we  be  forgiven.  As  we 
forgive  thofe  who  wilfully  injure  us,  when 
we  difcover  in  them  marks  of  forrow,  fo  in 
the  exercife  of  repentance  may  we  experi- 
ence Thv  forgiving  grace. 

The  trials,  which  we  are  called  in  Prow 
dence  to  fuffer,  we  fl-iould  endure  with  pa- 
tience ;  but  when  we  confider  the  treachery 
of  the  human  heart  and  the  allurements  of 
the  world,  we  dread  the  favorite  abodes  of 
temptation.  We  mud  be  fenfibie  of  our  ex- 
pofednefs  to  fin,  and  of  the  neceflity  of  vi- 
gilance. All,  who  are  confcious  of  their 
own  weaknefs,  and  fee  the  dangers  which  en- 


C    84    ] 

compafs  human  life,  feel  the  propriety  and 
force  of  our  Saviour's  words, 

"  Lead  us  not  into  temptation."  Lay  nothing 
before  us  which  will  allure  us  into  fin.  Shew 
us  no  finful  indulgence.  Be  our  prefent 
Helper  in  trouble.  Let  not  the  ftorras  of  af- 
fliOion  overcome  us;  but  do  Thou  guard  and 
protect  us,  and,  when  evils  opprefs  and  ca- 
lamities invade  us,  do  thou  affijl  and  deliver  us. 
Refcue  us  from  evil,  or  fupport  us  under  it. 

Such  aid  and  help  the  children  of  God  of- 
ten impore,  while  they  patiently  endure  what 
he  fees  fit  to  appoint.  It  does  not  become 
us  to  decline  any  dangers,  or  fufferings,  de- 
figned  for  the  trial  of  our  faith,  or  the  im- 
provement of  our  virtue  ;  hut  we  fhould  flu- 
dioufly  avoid  the  haunts  of  fin,  and  carefully 
ftiun  the  paths  of  iniquity.  And  we  fhould 
afk  wifdom  of  God,  who  knows  our  weaknefs 
and  forrows,  and  can  ftretch  forth  his  hand 
and  fupport  us.  Unto  Thee,  O  Lord,  will 
we,  therefore,  direct  our  prayer  and  look  up. 
Wilt  thou  grant  us  what  is  good,  though  we 
do  not  afk  for  it,  and  deny  what  would  be 
injurious,  though  in  ignorance  we  fhould  pray 
for  it.  And  we  be  leech  Thee  to  teach  us 
what  is  good,  teach  us  Thyfdf  and  may  our 
de  fires  and  hearts  a  (pi  re  to  Thee  ;  for  Thine 
is  the  kingdom^  the  power  a.nd  the  glory  forever. 

AMEN. 


(■ 


>, 


